At its peak, he said, 80 fire officers were on the scene, including two engines from Cumbria. What did the government do about Covid and care homes? We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Two-year-old George Arthur Hinds died as a result of Darren Greenham's late-night DIY. In addition to the loss of their son, George's parents were left without anything. 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. Recorder Altham tells Greehall to stand as he passes sentence. He guides me through his property to the back garden which is full of debris from the blast. Officers from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary at Heysham power station were first to arrive at the scene of the explosion today, it has emerged. '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. It was quite a blast, I live quite a way down there and part of my side door was blown in, my nextdoor neighbours plates were smashed, she said.Theres debris everywhere, all on the next streets and in the fields. He has told Greenhall to remain seated for now. The blast caused debris to cover nearby streets and fields and residents described it as sounding "like a bomb going off". 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. Something went wrong, please try again later. "Police were telling us turn off your cars and everything like that, and we had to turn off the gas. A Gofundme page set up to help Mallowdale Avenue residents had raised more than 20,000 in just over four hours. A criminal investigation was launched in the days following the explosion and detectives, assisted by gas experts, identified the cause of the explosion as a gas pipe which had been cut inside number 20 Mallowdale Avenue. there were "no quick answers" in the investigation, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Explosive found in check-in luggage at US airport, Fungus case forces Jack Daniels to halt construction, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Human error to blame for train crash - Greek PM, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings. I got out of bed and ran into my sons bedroom at the back of my house. Heather Brandwood, manager of two pubs in nearby Morecambe, set up the fundraiser and said it was "humbling" to see the community pull together in such a way. There is still lots of work being carried out at the scene with firefighters still attending. Police later confirmed that a young child had died in the tragedy, while four others - two men and two women- were taken to hospital. Susan Faulkner, 74, who lives on Mallowdale Avenue, said: The sound really shook me, Im still quite shaken by it. Two-year-old George Hinds died in the blast in Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham on 16 May.. Cadent, says its. A gas explosion in north Lancashire that killed a two year old boy was not caused by issues with nearby mains and service pipes, according to the company that manages them. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. A major incident was declared this morning (May 16) following . See PA story FIRE Heysham. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Video taken from a helicopter flying above Heysham in Lancashire underlines the extent . They are both due to appear atLancaster Magistrates Courton12thJanuary 2022. George's parents lost their home, their car, their ID, all their possessions. We have heard from an elderly couple who left in their pyjamas. 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. On the night of the explosion, Greenham had arranged for the gas supply to be turned off by another person. Were just confused as to what has happened.". It was like a bomb going off, it was that kind of impact, she told PA Media. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The emergency services, local authority and partners remain at the site and a safety cordon remains in place. Well work to conclude this incident safely and work with support and concern for the local community to ensure they can rebuild and go back to their normal lives in due course, he said. We are currently working with gas service engineers to make the area safe. We will bring you live updates on this incident via our live blog below. While drunk and high on drugs, Greenham cut copper pipes in his council house with the mindset to sell before being evicted from the property. Two other people - a man aged 44 and a woman aged 50 - remain in hospital with 'critical injuries'. Four adults are being treated in hospital and one person, a child, tragically died. We have no words to describe how we feel and just want time to ourselves to come to terms with what has happened. Our thoughts are with all those affected.". It was disbelief and shock. heysham gas explosion charges. "We were called at 2.40am this morning to reports that a number of houses on the road had collapsed. Darren Greenham will return to the dock today, where he sat with his head bowed thoughout much of yesterday's proceedings. 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. We'll have further updates on Lancs Live on Monday. Recorder Altham lists anti-social behaviour including frequent bonfires, which prompted complaints seven or eight times a year. Two adults are "seriously injured", she added, while "the other two remain under medical assessment". 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! Two-year-old George Arthur Hinds, whose parents paid tribute to their 'beautiful little angel grew his wings', A roof of one of the homes destroyed in the blast which killedGeorge Arthur Hinds, Emergency workers at the scene on Mallowdale Ave Heysham, on Sunday May 16. Paul Marsh, 54, of Banks Crescent, has now also been charged with theft and criminal damage. George was described as a "beautiful little angel" by his parents, who said they were devastated by his death. George Arthur Hinds, aged two years and 10 months, died in the blast (Image: Lancashire Police) Two people have been charged with manslaughter over the gas explosion which killed George Arthur Hinds. "It rained down vertically on us.". Two-year-old George Hinds died in the blast. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Lancashire Police tweeted that they had put up a safety cordon and evacuated residents from nearby properties in the town some 25 miles northeast of Blackpool. Police confirmed earlier today that the huge gas blast claimed the live of George Arthur Hinds, aged two years and 10 months. We were called at 2.40am this morning (Sunday May 16th) to reports that a number of houses on the road had collapsed. They were taken to hospital for treatment and later discharged. "He was so precious to us. Their hazardous area response team (HART), which is specially trained to work with the fire and rescue service in major incidents, was also in attendance. Search operations continue and we are working with partners to make the area safe and investigate the cause of the explosion. There are no words. PA Photo. READ MORE: Neighbour killed toddler in gas explosion caused by drunkenly cutting pipes. Due to your consent preferences, youre not able to view this. They are "truly remarkable people". He said: "It sounded like when you are at a firework display and the final rocket always lets off the biggest loud bang.". 1894 shipwreck confirms tale of treacherous lifeboat. Scott Lancaster said he had been reading the news and jumped out of his seat when the blast occurred. Cat Smith, MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, has paid tribute to the young child who has passed away. We went to the road and saw the rubble up the street. Debris from the blast covered nearby streets and fields, as residents described the noise "like a bomb going off". The judge says the offence falls under Category A of the sentencing guidelines, the most serious and carrying the highest penalty. A major incident has been declared after the blast on Mallowdale Avenue, where just the chimney stacks of a row of terraced houses remains. My whole house shook. VideoThe man facing 291 years in jail, An audacious heist that stunned Britain. 2023 BBC. Emergency services had been called to the scene on Mallowdale Avenue at about 2.40am on Sunday, May 16. The family have been informed and our thoughts remain with them at this distressing time. I woke up with this huge bang and I thought someone was breaking into my house, she told the PA news agency. 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Copyright Lancashire Constabulary 2023. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. 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. Two houses collapsed and a third was seriously damaged in the blast. His parents and another man and woman required hospital treatment. It looks like there's been a hurricane, but the residents of Bowland Street in Lancaster are walking around the aftermath of a gas explosion. 'Even if you think the information you have is insignificant or irrelevant please tell us and we can be the judge.'. 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. The community is in shock following the explosion. Four other people were hurt in the explosion, which destroyed two homes and seriously damaged a third. Residents say they were woken by the sound of a blast at around 2.30am Sunday morning. "Road closures also remain in place and people are being asked to avoid the entire area while we deal with this ongoing incident. "Jordan Banks, aged nine, died after being struck by lightning while playing football in Blackpool on Tuesday evening, and in the early hours of this morning two-year-old George Hinds died when his home collapsed in Heysham. George's parents, Vicky Studholme and Stephen Hinds, told Preston Crown Court that their world was 'taken away in the blink of an eye'. A major incident has been declared in Heysham following a devastating gas explosion. If you do want to help, details can be found here. 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 was so precious to us. 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