Emergency crews, including search dogs, are searching the site this morning. 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. Earlier, the service said on Twitter that 10 units were called to a row of homes around 2.30am and that firefighters were searching the scene. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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. READ MORE: Neighbour killed toddler in gas explosion caused by drunkenly cutting pipes. Incident commander gives update on Heysham explosion, A child was killed and four adults injured, Emergency services have been working at the scene of the disaster throughout the night, Emergency services at the scene of the blast, Dramatic pictures taken at the scene show the scale of the damage. A third person has been charged in connection with a gas explosion that killed a toddler in Lancashire. Gas service engineers are working to make the area safe. Our thoughts remain with all the residents of Mallowdale Avenue and surrounding areas who are affected. Our beautiful little angel grew his wings today.. Theres debris everywhere, all on the next streets and in the fields. He said they met with the aftermath of a "significant explosion" and they prioritised rescuing those in properties and giving medical help to those who needed it. Two-year-old George Hinds died in the blast on Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham, Lancashire, early on 16 May. They continue to be supported by specially trained officers. A MAN and a woman have tonight been charged with manslaughter after a little boy died in a massive gas blast. All rights reserved. It was like a bomb going off, it was that kind of impact, she told PA Media. Expected to be ongoing for several hours until building assessments are complete. 'People have really pulled together as a community, it's really humbling. Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Ben Norman, tells us that 10 fire engines with around 80 firefighters attended the scene at the height of the incident. He will face concurrent sentences for each three charges - the second two, theft and criminal damage will receive one month each. Lancashire fire and rescue service said 10 fire engines attended the incident in Heysham, a coastal town north of Blackpool, and that fire crews remained at the scene. Delta agrees 34% pay rise for pilots - worth up to $90k - with other major airlines set to follow suit, Parole is DENIED for Robert F. 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Susan Faulkner, 74, who lives on Mallowdale Avenue, said: The sound really shook me, Im still quite shaken by it. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy. Detectives said they had identified, along with gas experts, the cause of the explosion as a cut gas pipe inside a property on Mallowdale Avenue. Two others, a man, 44, and a 50-year-old woman, remain in hospital with critical injuries. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Please help emergency services respond by avoiding the area and letting them do their job. If you do want to help, details can be found here. When I see what those poor souls have had happen to them, its devastating.. Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. He initially told them he had no memory of what happened but later confessed that he alone was responsible. Georges parents were also injured, although thankfully not seriously. I woke up with this huge bang and I thought someone was breaking into my house, she told the PA news agency. It was disbelief and shock. "We are asking people to please avoid the entire area while we deal with this ongoing incident," the force added. 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Recorder Altham is outlining the events which led to the explosion, as George lay somewhere where he should have been safe. We expect proceedings to get under way from around midday. Just another reminder that if you have been evacuated from your home - there is help available. Sadly, three families have been severely affected and our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this very difficult time. Aerial footage shows the devastation caused by a gas explosion which claimed the life of a two-year-old boy. "A major incident has been declared after we called to terraced houses on Mallowdale Avenue. The general public has been fantastic and they have risen to the challenge.. The blast caused debris to cover nearby streets and fields and residents described it as sounding "like a bomb going off". Forensic examination of the scene had been completed, the force said, and it had been handed over to the local authority. We're extremely proud at the response of our officers and police medics who put themselves at significant risk to assist those who needed help. People were already outside. Two houses collapsed and a third was seriously damaged in the blast. Ms Studholme and Mr Hinds were also injured in the blast, which caused two houses to collapse and a third was seriously damaged. Im really sad for those people, its such a sad thing to happen to them.. A major incident was declared this morning (May 16) following . We have no words to describe how we feel and just want time to ourselves to come to terms with what has happened. A children's toy at the scene of a suspected gas explosion, in which a young child was killed and two people were seriously injured, on Mallowdale Ave Heysham which caused 2 houses to collapse and badly damaged another. No one knew what had happened. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. At its peak, he said, 80 fire officers were on the scene, including two engines from Cumbria. An explosion has been reported at a row of terraced houses on chat around 2.40am this morning (May 16), triggering a huge emergency response. Bits of the house have been blasted metres away from where the property previously stood, which is now merely a crater filled with rubble. One on occasion, the fire spread to a border fence and another time smoke could be seen two miles away. He lived without regard for the comfort of those who were unfortunate enough to live adjacent to him. Two-year-old George Hinds died in the blast. 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. "The only conclusion is the defendant was aware of these signs of danger or wasn't aware because of his self-inflicted impairment through alcohol and drugs". A major incident has been declared in Heysham, Lancashire, and nearby residents have been evacuated. Our thoughts are with all those affected.". Mallowdale Avenue, Littledale Avenue and Kingsway are affected. Sharon Greenham and Darren Greenham charged with manslaughter and theft. We'll have further updates on Lancs Live on Monday. Heysham explosion: Man jailed for killing boy, 2, in gas blast 5 October 2022 Family handout Two-year-old George Hinds died in the blast in Heysham in May 2021 A man who cut a gas pipe to. The family have been informed and our thoughts remain with them at this distressing time. A number of people have been evacuated from their homes and a safety cordon is in place. Lancashire Police said it was investigating how and why the pipe became severed and treating it as a criminal investigation. Shockingly, Stephen Hinds statement revealed this abuse extended to Greenham calling two-year-old George a ginger, little c***. The grief being felt by their families will be beyond comprehension. We would like to thank the public for their patience and assistance while we dealt with this incident and express our gratitude to all our staff and emergency service colleagues who have worked extremely hard over the last few hours and continue to do so. "We can now confirm that sadly a young child has died as a result of the incident. A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We are currently dealing with an incident on Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham. Two other people remain in hospital with injuries described as critical. Road closures are in place on nearby Littledale Avenue and people are being asked to avoid the entire area while we deal with this ongoing incident. Something went wrong, please try again later. Residents of Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham, Lancashire, were woken in the early hours of May 16 by an explosion which left nearby streets and fields covered with debris. VideoWatch: Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. See PA story FIRE Heysham. My whole house shook. Road closures remain in place in the area surrounding the property. Were just confused as to what has happened.". 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Ive been very lucky. I got out of bed and ran into my sons bedroom at the back of my house. People also commented on the loudness of the explosion, including @jstewart668, who said people "heard the bang as far as Lancaster", around nine miles (14km) away. Updated 17th Dec 2021, 7:34pm. Ms Faulkner said that her own property and others in the immediate area had been damaged in the devastating explosion. An evacuation centre has been set up at Salt Ayre. An incredible effort by the Hurley Flyer and local community in such sad circumstances. Play it now! The whole house shook, he said. Proceedings are due to begin in around 15 minutes with Courtroom 10 already filling up. Parents pay tribute to George Arthur Hinds as two adults remain critically injured in hospital. He would also light frequent bonfires, fuelled with petrol, which grew out of control and was regularly abusive to those living next to him. LancsLive will be at Preston Crown Court today for the sentencing of Darren Greenham for the manslaughter of toddler George Hinds. The community is in shock following the explosion. But Greenham didn't turn the gas supply off to the property in Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham. Darren Greenham is now back in the dock, wearing an all grey tracksuit. No sentence I can pass will be adequate for their loss. Ive been very lucky. Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. Anything we can do that might relieve a bit of pressure and a little bit of stress for those involved is worth doing.'. 'Even if you think the information you have is insignificant or irrelevant please tell us and we can be the judge.'. Horse power: Long-serving Red Bull chief CHRISTIAN HORNER on how he switches off from the high-pressure F1 environment, helped by Spice Girl wife Geri and a coterie of nags, dogs and donkeys! A third man, 47, previously held in connection with the incident, will not face charges, Lancashire Police said. Darren Greenham will return to the dock today, where he sat with his head bowed thoughout much of yesterday's proceedings. Sir David Attenborough explores the diverse natural habitats of Britain and Ireland. I then ran out the front door. An explosion has been reported at a row of terraced houses on Mallowdale Avenue around 2.40am this morning (May 16), triggering a huge emergency response. The fire service has confirmed that homes have been evacuated and they continue to urge people to stay away from the area. Paul Marsh, 54, of Banks Crescent, has now also been charged with theft and criminal damage. Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? The community is rallying around those affected by the tragedy with the team at the Hurley Flyer pub at Westgate, Morecambe, leading fundraising efforts. Locals have been forced to evacuate their homes after the suspected gas blast, with dramatic pictures showing the devastation in the Lancashire town. They're both in bathrobes. Search operations continue and we are working with partners to make the area safe and investigate the cause of the explosion. Two houses were found collapsed with serious damage to a third property. Please place items in the boxes on the tables to keep them dry in case it rains. A fundraising drive to help those affected by this horrific tragedy has already reached more than 12,000. Heysham (in Lancashire, England) gas explosion destroys 2 houses completely (damages others and spreads debris far afield), and sadly there are casualties, i. AboutPressCopyrightContact. Residents say they were woken by the sound of a blast at around 2.30am Sunday morning. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. Welcome to our live blog. 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. 'There are a lot of people who want to do good, but they don't know how to go about doing it, so by putting something in place, they always rise to the challenge. His heartbroken parents Vicky Studholme and Stephen Hinds were also injured, although not seriously. It was like a bomb going off, it was that kind of impact.. Residents have been evacuated from the area, while a safety cordon and road closures are in place, including on nearby Littedale Avenue. He is inviting everyone to stand on their doorstep at 7pm for a one-minute silence, followed by a one-minute clap. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. They are "truly remarkable people". Ive never experienced that before. He has told Greenhall to remain seated for now. Lancashire police said in a statement: "We remain at the scene of a suspected gas explosion. I was already awake. George was described as a "beautiful little angel" by his parents, who said they were devastated by his death. Aerial photos show the ruins of a number of properties in the terrace, as emergency workers search through the rubble. Since then, they have ongoing pain and trauma which has caused flashbacks, depression and suicidal thoughts. A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said it was "aware of the incident and are assisting Lancashire Police with their inquiries". 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Tragically toddler George Arthur Hinds, aged two years and 10 months, died as a result of the blast. Four other people were hurt in the explosion, which destroyed two homes and seriously damaged a third. "We woke about 2:30am and thought it was an earthquake at first. 'An incredible amount of work has been done at the scene in a relatively short space of time and as well as identifying the source of the explosion we have also managed to recover some items of George's, which I know means a lot to his parents. Two fire engines, the urban search and rescue unit, search and rescue dogs and the air support unit remain at the incident. His defence asked for 25% credit on the basis of an indication of guilt to newly instructed solicitors and his memory loss. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Sharon and Darren Greenham, aged 51 and 44, of Ambleside Avenue in Lancaster, have been charged with manslaughter and theft. He was also abusive when drunk and on drugs, as were his visitors. CNC Heysham wrote on Twitter: "Our officers were first on scene to a major incident in Heysham early this morning. Ive never experienced that before. Cat Smith, the Labour MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, has commented on today's tragedy, reflecting that it comes just days after another Lancashire child lost their life in horrific circumstances. 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