Play it now! Cadent North West had said earlier the gas mains and service pipes were "sound and did not contribute to or cause the explosion at Heysham". Incident commander gives statement to LancsLive after child dies in suspected gas explosion in Heysham. A young child has been killed and four adults have been injured, two of them seriously, after a suspected gas explosion in Heysham, Lancashire Police said. A major incident has been declared in Heysham following a devastating gas explosion. Cabbie Anthony Davis, 58, was asleep in his caravan when the blast took place. Our thoughts are with all those affected.". Upon arrival firefighters found that two terraced houses had collapsed and a third was seriously damaged, and a major incident was declared. The family have been informed and our thoughts remain with them at this distressing time. An explosion has been reported at a row of terraced houses on chat around 2.40am this morning (May . Just another reminder that if you have been evacuated from your home - there is help available. There is no access to Littledale Avenue where the properties are located from either Kingsway or Mallowdale Avenue or Sugham Lane. Dan Knowles, who lives four streets away from the explosion, said he thought there had been an earthquake. He is inviting everyone to stand on their doorstep at 7pm for a one-minute silence, followed by a one-minute clap. Ms Brandwood said: 'The general public has been fantastic. We have heard from an elderly couple who left in their pyjamas. Two-year-old George Hinds died in the blast in Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham on 16 May.. Published: 12:35 EST, 24 May 2021 | Updated: 02:17 EST, 25 May 2021. That person could only be "incompetent at best", Recorder Altham says. People are asked to avoid the scene while emergency services respond. Please place items in the boxes on the tables to keep them dry in case it rains. Electricity North West wrote on social media that it had paused electricity supplies to the area for safety reasons while the blast was being investigated. The boy has since been identified as George Arthur Hinds, aged two years and 10 months. I think theres a bit on my roof as well. We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. Read about our approach to external linking. The judge today is Honorary Recorder Robert Altham, while the prosecution are represented by Timothy Kray KC. Morecambe and Heysham Past and Present Facebook group have set up a fundraiser to help the people of Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham after the devastating explosion in the early hours of this morning, and the very sad loss of a young life. He will receive 15% credit instead. An explosion that killed a child was caused by a gas pipe being cut inside a neighbouring house, police said. Due to the cordon and road closures in the area bus services are being diverted. "A search of the site is still ongoing with Lancashire Fire and Rescue and North West Ambulance Service also in attendance. Heather Brandwood, the manager of two pubs in nearby Morecambe, set up the fundraiser and said residents were queuing up in the car park of the Hurley Flyer pub to donate clothing and toiletries to evacuated residents. A young child has been killed and four adults have been injured, two of them seriously, after a suspected gas explosion in Heysham, Lancashire Police said. Lancashire Police said it was investigating how and why the pipe became severed and treating it as a criminal investigation. heysham gas explosion charges. Take care and stay safe. The fire service has confirmed that homes have been evacuated and they continue to urge people to stay away from the area. By Sean Gleaves. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Morecambe Bay NHS Trust has tweeted their condolences. A child was killed and four adults injured after a suspected gas explosion ripped through three homes in the middle of the night. We expect proceedings to get under way from around midday. Since then, they have ongoing pain and trauma which has caused flashbacks, depression and suicidal thoughts. ", George Hinds was described by his parents, Vicky Studholme and Stephen Hinds, as their "beautiful little angel.". Lancashire fire and ambulance services are both in attendance at the scene, which Electricity North West has described as a 'major incident'. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. "Our officers are at the scene along with our colleagues from Lancashire Fire and Rescue and North West Ambulance Service. Witnesses say that they were woken up by a loud explosion in the early hours of the morning. Detective Chief Insp Jane Webb, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: 'My thoughts first and foremost remain with George's family and loved ones at this time, as well as those others affected by this incident. Police were called to the scene of the blast at about 2.40am today (May 16). You can donate here: https://gofund.me/9fb52a30. There is still lots of work being carried out at the scene with firefighters still attending. Forensic examination of the scene had been completed, the force said, and it had been handed over to the local authority. Emergency crews declared a major incident following the blast at 2.40am this morning (May 16) on Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham. Members of George's family are sat in the public viewing seating, while the press have been moved to the jury box to allow for extra spaces. A major incident has been declared in Heysham, Lancashire,. George's parents said the two-year-old "was so precious to us", Two houses collapsed and a third was seriously damaged in the blast, Cadent said the gas mains did not cause the blast. "A major incident has been declared after we called to terraced houses on Mallowdale Avenue. For the latest updates, scroll down. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. "We live a quarter of a mile away and it shook our caravan we thought something had hit it. The police enquiry is now being classed as a criminal investigation.'. Sadly, three families have been severely affected and our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this very difficult time. A Lancashire Police spokesperson added: "We are currently at the scene of a suspected gas explosion on Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham. A major incident was declared after the explosion and about 40 people were evacuated from their homes. You can sign up for free daily updates with the LancsLive newsletter here. Greenham sat with his head bowed throughout much of proceedings at Preston Crown Court yesterday. Updated 17th Dec 2021, 7:34pm. A fundraiser and collection appeal has been launched to help those affected by an explosion in Heysham. He was high and drunk at the time of his late-night DIY exploits on May 16, 2021. "My next door neighbour, she's really elderly and she was scared to go in. Two other counts of criminal damage and theft of gas were also admitted in August. PA Photo. Criminal investigation launched after police reveal cause of Heysham gas explosion Police have launched a criminal investigation after discovering a cut gas pipe caused the explosion which killed a two-year-old last weekend. Stephanie Shepherd of Littledale Avenue said: At 2.30 there was an enormous bang. Greenham, 45, failed to turn the gas supply off, causing the huge explosion that killed little George Hinds. Our thoughts remain with his loved ones. We treated five casualties at the scene. Darren Greenham caused the fatal explosion cutting gas pipes with an angle grinder. Aerial photos show the ruins of a number of properties in the terrace, as emergency workers search through the rubble. Sharon Greenham and Darren Greenham charged with manslaughter and theft. A house explosion which killed a child and injured four people was not caused by the gas mains, the company responsible for gas distribution said. A nightmare neighbour who blighted residents for years faces a long spell behind bars from today (October 5) after causing a huge gas explosion that killed an innocent toddler. A huge emergency response was triggered with ten fire engines, police and ambulance crews rushing to the scene. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 'Even if you think the information you have is insignificant or irrelevant please tell us and we can be the judge.'. Two . Georges parents were also injured, although thankfully not seriously. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Lancashire Police said detectives and gas experts had discovered the cause of the explosion in Heysham was a gas pipe which had been cut inside number 20 Mallowdale Avenue. Due to your consent preferences, youre not able to view this. Emergency workers at the scene of the suspected gas explosion in Heysham, Lancashire. Cadent, says its. A child was killed and four adults injured after a suspected gas explosion ripped through three homes in the middle of the night. Ive never experienced that before. I then ran out the front door. 20 came to be cut and those enquiries are complex and lengthy. The community is rallying around those affected by the tragedy with the team at the Hurley Flyer pub at Westgate, Morecambe, leading fundraising efforts. This was the devastating aftermath of the gas explosion caused by Darren Greenham: Darren Greenham confessed to police that he had been trying to cut copper piping in his council house with a motive to sell for around 400 before being kicked out of the property by Lancashire County Council. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Two-year-old George Hinds died in the blast in Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham on 16 May. I have contacted our families closest to the explosion and all are thankfully safe. My whole house shook. People were already outside. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. 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