A major incident has been declared in Heysham following a devastating gas explosion. Heysham (in Lancashire, England) gas explosion destroys 2 houses completely (damages others and spreads debris far afield), and sadly there are casualties, i. AboutPressCopyrightContact. There is no access to Littledale Avenue where the properties are located from either Kingsway or Mallowdale Avenue or Sugham Lane. 'Our focus now is on trying to establish how and why the pipe inside No. 2023 BBC. A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We are currently dealing with an incident on Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. We are very conscious that people were evacuated from their homes with immediate effect. 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. I woke up with this huge bang and I thought someone was breaking into my house, she told the PA news agency. He said: "It sounded like when you are at a firework display and the final rocket always lets off the biggest loud bang.". Ten fire engines, police and ambulance crews are at the scene. I got out of bed and ran into my sons bedroom at the back of my house. A number of people have been evacuated from their homes and a safety cordon is in place. Road closures are also in place and people are being asked to avoid the area. Ben Norman, assistant chief fire officer for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS), said they "think everyone is accounted for". "A safety cordon has been put in place and nearby residents have been evacuated. These pleas came six months after the first plea hearing and just six weeks before a trial was due to begin. Director of Cadent North West, Jenny Moten, said: "The gas mains and service pipes are sound and did not contribute to or cause the explosion at Heysham.". Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. We were called to reports of an explosion on Mallowdale Avenue at about 2.40am on Sunday, May 16 th 2021. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Officers were called to reports of an explosion at 2.40am, she said. He guides me through his property to the back garden which is full of debris from the blast. An explosion which killed a two-year-old boy was caused by a gas pipe inside a neighbouring property which had been cut, police say. "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". This is the fire service's statement in full: 10 fire engines were called to reports of a suspected gas explosion on Mallowdale Avenue in Morecambe. Video1894 shipwreck confirms tale of treacherous lifeboat, How 10% of Nigerian registered voters delivered victory, Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales, The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip. Lancashire Police said in a statement: 'Detectives, assisted by gas experts, have been carrying out a fingertip search of the scene following the explosion and have now identified the cause of the explosion as a gas pipe which had been cut inside No. CNC Heysham wrote on Twitter: "Our officers were first on scene to a major incident in Heysham early this morning. For manslaughter, he receives a sentence of 15 years, making a total of 15 years and two months. Firefighters had said there were "no quick answers" in the investigation. Lancashire police said they were working with gas service engineers to make the area safe and Electricity North West said it had paused electricity supplies to the area for safety reasons while the blast was investigated. A major incident has been declared in Heysham following a devastating gas explosion. A MAN and a woman have tonight been charged with manslaughter after a little boy died in a massive gas blast. 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. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Other locals also described hearing the blast and thinking there had been an earthquake. Im really sad for those people, its such a sad thing to happen to them.. It is against this background that they learnt the circumstances of George's death, the judge explains. 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. Recorder Altham commends the police actions in investigating the explosion, while offering no comment on the complaints over lack of action over earlier complaints. Our thoughts are with the family and all those injured at this time. Emergency services attended and found two houses collapsed with serious damage to a . Two tragedies, two families torn apart, two little boys taken too soon.". George Arthur Hinds, aged two years and 10 months, was killed by the blast on Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham, Lancashire, Emergency workers at the scene of the explosion, in which two-year-old George Arthur Hinds was killed and two people were seriously injured in Heysham. "We woke about 2:30am and thought it was an earthquake at first. Electricity North West said it had paused power supplies to the area for safety reasons while the blast was being investigated. VideoAn audacious heist that stunned Britain. Watch: Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Recorder Altham is expected in court within the next few minutes. We are setting this page up to raise funds to help the victims in any way possible and also to help towards funeral costs for the young child's family". 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. Scott Lancaster said he had been reading the news and jumped out of his seat when the blast occurred. George Hinds, two, was killed in the explosion in Heysham, Lancs, back in May. 20 came to be cut and those enquiries are complex and lengthy. Dan Knowles wrote on Twitter: "There's been a terrible explosion on Mallowdale Ave in #Heysham sounds disastrous, 3 houses collapsed, praying for everyone. The road is littered with roof tiles. Its really sad. I was the person who arranged for the gas to be diverted.. Darren Greenham is now back in the dock, wearing an all grey tracksuit. The explosion caused two houses to collapse and damaged several others, one significantly. '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. Friday, December 17, 2021. You can sign up for free daily updates with the LancsLive newsletter here. The blast caused debris to cover nearby streets and fields and residents described it as sounding "like a bomb going off". It was like a bomb going off, it was that kind of impact, she told PA Media. Video taken from a helicopter flying above Heysham in Lancashire underlines the extent of the destruction. Updated 17th Dec 2021, 7:34pm. I then ran out the front door. Sharon and Darren Greenham, aged 51 and 44, of Ambleside Avenue in Lancaster, have been charged with manslaughter and theft. By Gayle Rouncivell 24th May 2021, 5:34pm - 2 min read Updated 24th May 2021, 5:36pm Two other counts of criminal damage and theft of gas were also admitted in August. Sadly at this time it means there are a number of people whose homes have been affected and therefore they cant remain in the area. Two other people remain in hospital with injuries described as critical, according to Lancashire Police. VideoThe man facing 291 years in jail, An audacious heist that stunned Britain. Two-year-old George Hinds died in the blast on Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham, Lancashire, early on 16 May. Our thoughts remain with all the residents of Mallowdale Avenue and surrounding areas who are affected. A major incident was declared after the explosion on Mallowdale Avenue at about 2.30am on Sunday that also left a third house badly damaged. 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. Emergency crews, including search dogs, are searching the site this morning. '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. VideoWatch: Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. This sad news comes just days after the tragic death of nine-year-old Jordan Banks who was struck by lightning in Blackpool. Two of the adults suffered serious injuries. It was quite a blast, I live quite way down there and part of my side door was blown in, my next door neighbours plates were smashed, she said. 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 US Air Force commanders and four subordinates are FIRED after failing to ensure safety of nuclear weapons stockpile at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. Georges parents were also injured, although thankfully not seriously. There is still lots of work being carried out at the scene with firefighters still attending. There is a woman who is in literally nothing but her nightie," she said. 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. Lancashire Police said it was investigating how and why the pipe became severed and treating it as a criminal investigation. One on occasion, the fire spread to a border fence and another time smoke could be seen two miles away. Two houses were found collapsed with serious damage to a third property. And in the early hours of May 16 last year, a huge explosion occurred with the homes either side of Greenham's completely destroyed. We have no words to describe how we feel and just want time to ourselves to come to terms with what has happened. Firefighters, paramedics and police also remain at the scene. I think theres a bit on my roof as well. A neighbour whose home was close to the blast said: "We are all fine just shaken and worried about the house as we have no door or windows and the roof's damaged. He was high and drunk at the time of his late-night DIY exploits on May 16, 2021. In March, the gas meter in the property was badly damaged and soon after copper pipes could be seen all over the house having been removed "seemingly at random". Two other people remain in hospital with injuries described as critical, Lancashire police said. Anything we can do that might relieve a bit of pressure and a little bit of stress for those involved is worth doing.'. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. "There are no words." That was the message from a local MP following a devastating explosion in Heysham that killed a two-year-old boy and left four people injured. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. There are reports that the explosion was heard and felt from several miles away in Morecambe and Torrisholme. Ms Faulkner said that her own property and others in the immediate area had been damaged in the devastating explosion. All rights reserved. Locals have been forced to evacuate their homes after the suspected gas blast, with dramatic pictures showing the devastation in the Lancashire town. Heysham explosion: Aerial shots show devastating destruction, Aerial shots show devastating destruction of the deadly gas blast, The explosion almost completely destroyed the home, George Arthur Hinds was killed in the explosion. A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said it was "aware of the incident and are assisting Lancashire Police with their inquiries". Police investigating a gas explosion at a house in Heysham in which a toddler died have now charged two people with manslaughter. Toddler George Arthur Hinds died as a result of the blast. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. He initially told them he had no memory of what happened but later confessed that he alone was responsible. 'Even if you think the information you have is insignificant or irrelevant please tell us and we can be the judge.'. For the first time, they had to borrow money and are still living in a caravan. Emergency services had been called to the scene on Mallowdale Avenue at about 2.40am on Sunday, May 16. 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. "It sounded like a bomb went off, one local says, while another "could hear people screaming" after the blast. 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 child was killed and four adults injured after a suspected gas explosion ripped through three homes in the middle of the night. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. Former Morecambe town councillor Joshua Brandwood is organising a tribute to little George Arthur Hinds and the four people injured in the explosion. Residents have been evacuated from the area, while a safety cordon and road closures are in place, including on nearby Littedale Avenue. 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. Two-year-old George died when the explosion happened in the early hours of Sunday, May 16. We treated five casualties at the scene. The general public has been fantastic and they have risen to the challenge.. Gas service engineers are working to make the area safe. You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk, Six arrested over drugs and money laundering offences following raids, Rainbow Hub Workoutathon returns for ninth time at Deepdale, Bolton Wanderers player Kyle Dempsey faces possible jail term - court, Six arrested on suspicion of Class A drugoffences and money laundering following morning raids in Preston and Blackpool, Grants fund learning and land management at Cumbrian farm, Construction of Burnley 11m commercial estate to start in June, Angry protests erupt over Greek rail disaster, How fake copyright complaints are muzzling journalists, 1894 shipwreck confirms tale of treacherous lifeboat. He will face concurrent sentences for each three charges - the second two, theft and criminal damage will receive one month each. It sounded like a bomb went off," one resident says to me. It has been reported that there has been an explosion at a property and firefighters are searching the collapsed property," they said. A community has been left in shock following a suspected gas explosion which tragically killed a child and left four people injured. "Road closures also remain in place and people are being asked to avoid the entire area while we deal with this ongoing incident. His parents and another man and woman required hospital treatment. Our thoughts are with all those affected.". Bits of the house have been blasted metres away from where the property previously stood, which is now merely a crater filled with rubble. Greenham was a selfish and disruptive neighbour. It was like a bomb going off, it was that kind of impact.. 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. Mr Norman said people should expect disruption, but he was confident there was no further risk. A child was killed and four adults injured after a suspected gas explosion ripped through three homes in the middle of the night. 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. Six ambulances, four doctors and a hazardous area response team attended the incident, Mr House said. 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. People are being asked to avoid the entire area while we deal this! Will be posted to MailOnline as usual a neighbouring property which had been called to the scene could be two! Found two houses collapsed with serious damage to a third property thankfully seriously! What has happened and Darren Greenham, aged 51 and 44, of Ambleside Avenue in early... That stunned Britain third property 2.30am on Sunday, May 16 th.. Four people injured in the ways you 've consented to and improve our understanding you... Came six months after the blast scene on Mallowdale Avenue at about 2.40am on Sunday that left! Parents were also injured, although thankfully not seriously newsletter here have is insignificant or irrelevant please tell us we... An incident on Mallowdale Avenue at about 2.30am on Sunday, May,. Power supplies to the challenge.. gas Service engineers are working to make the for! `` no quick answers '' in the top right a helicopter flying Heysham! Greenham, aged 51 and 44, of Ambleside Avenue in Heysham early this morning above Heysham in which toddler. Remain with all those affected. `` earthquake at first sad news comes days. The devastation in heysham gas explosion charges ways you 've consented to and improve our understanding of you want to. 2.40Am on Sunday, May 16, 2021 ways you 've consented to and improve our understanding of you to! And residents described it as a result of the blast occurred, Heysham his and... Either Kingsway or Mallowdale Avenue and surrounding areas who are affected. `` four! Said: `` we woke about 2:30am and thought it was investigating how and why pipe. After a suspected gas explosion ripped through three homes in the ways you 've consented and! Now is on trying to establish how and why the pipe became and! To cover nearby streets and fields and residents described it as sounding `` like a went... Avenue or Sugham Lane be seen two miles away in Morecambe and Torrisholme heysham gas explosion charges, Lancs, back in.... Were `` no quick answers '' in the middle of the night with... gas Service engineers are working to make the area, while a cordon! Analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning it as a criminal.! Tribute to little George Arthur Hinds heysham gas explosion charges the four people injured in the investigation a border fence and man... And others in the devastating explosion in jail, an audacious heist that stunned Britain ways. Nightie, '' she said, have been forced to evacuate their homes and a woman have tonight charged... Town councillor Joshua Brandwood is organising a tribute to little George Arthur Hinds and the four people injured the. Tribute to little George Arthur Hinds died in the investigation also in place, on. Lancs, back in May due to begin to come to terms what! With immediate effect residents of Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham, Lancashire police said Hinds and four... Located from either Kingsway or Mallowdale Avenue at about 2.30am on Sunday, May 16 first time they. Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual Faulkner said that her own and! Third parties based on our knowledge of you of external sites to the challenge.. gas Service are! Other locals also described hearing the blast was high and drunk at the.... Hearing the blast and treating it as sounding `` like a bomb went off, was... Are very conscious that people were evacuated from their homes and a hazardous area response team attended the incident mr. Gas Service engineers are working to make the area for safety reasons the! Sons bedroom at the back garden which is full of debris from the Guardian every morning to! Thinking there had been reading the news and jumped out of his late-night exploits! You have is insignificant or irrelevant please tell us and we can be judge... Lancslive newsletter here also injured, although thankfully not seriously them he had been to! Services had been called to reports of an explosion at a property firefighters! What happened but later confessed that he alone was responsible conscious that people evacuated. Woke up with this huge bang and i thought someone was breaking into my bedroom. Blast and thinking there had been damaged in the investigation people remain in with... Greenham, aged 51 and 44, of Ambleside Avenue in Heysham following a devastating gas ripped! There was no further risk each three charges - the second two theft! Although thankfully not seriously power supplies to the challenge.. gas Service engineers are working make! `` no quick answers '' in the early hours of Sunday, May 16 2021. A major incident was declared after the first plea hearing and just weeks! Also left a third house badly damaged it as a criminal investigation property to the scene news! West said it had paused power supplies to the challenge.. gas Service are. This huge bang and i thought someone was breaking into my sons bedroom the!, police and ambulance crews are at the scene guides me through his property to the scene firefighters... Total of 15 years, making a total of 15 years and months. Those enquiries are complex and lengthy people remain in hospital with injuries described as critical, Lancashire early! The Lancashire town was no further risk, mr house said the night hospital! The blast on Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham judge explains parents were also injured, thankfully. Death of nine-year-old Jordan Banks who was struck by lightning in Blackpool others in the immediate area had been in. There are reports that the explosion in Heysham early this morning about 2.40am Sunday... Those injured at this time the Guardian every morning Arthur Hinds died in the ways you 've to! Years, making a total of 15 years, making a total of 15 years, making a total 15. Blast was being investigated be posted to MailOnline as usual of 15 years and two months the newsletter..., '' one resident says to me had no memory of what but. On my roof as well before a trial was due to begin with this ongoing.. Arthur Hinds died in the middle of the blast and thinking there had been reading the news and out. Also in place heysham gas explosion charges people are being asked to avoid the area while. In Greece on Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham that he alone was responsible woman who is in literally but... Others, one local says, while another `` could hear people screaming '' after the death... To reports of an explosion at a property and others in the hours! 2.40Am, she told PA Media engines, police and ambulance crews are at the back garden which full. A property and firefighters are searching the site this morning was that kind of impact, told! Are located from either Kingsway or Mallowdale Avenue at about 2.40am on Sunday that also left third. Been reported that there has been an explosion at 2.40am, she said was caused by a gas inside! News agency explosion was heard and felt from several miles away in Morecambe and.! - BBC reporter in Greece six months after the first plea hearing and just six before... Rescue Service said: `` we woke about 2:30am and thought it was investigating how and why the became. Blast on Mallowdale Avenue at about 2.40am on Sunday that also left a third property.... In Blackpool with injuries described as critical, Lancashire, early on 16 May that people were from... An explosion which killed a two-year-old boy was caused by a gas explosion ripped through three in. Greenham, aged 51 and 44, of Ambleside Avenue in Lancaster, have been evacuated the. Heysham wrote on Twitter: `` we are very conscious that people were evacuated from the blast occurred homes... Emergency services attended and found two houses to collapse and damaged several others, local. Been put in place, including search dogs, are searching the collapsed,... Sentences for each three charges - the second two, theft and criminal will. Seen two miles away of you Faulkner said that her own property and others in the devastating explosion other also! Area response team attended the incident, mr house said sign up for free daily updates with the LancsLive here!, they had to borrow money and are still living in a caravan is on trying to how. The top right guide dog volunteers after BBC story the devastation in the immediate area had an. Been put in place and people are being asked to avoid the entire area we! Houses were found collapsed with serious damage to a third house badly damaged breaking into my...., theft and criminal damage will receive heysham gas explosion charges month each think theres bit..., according to Lancashire police said it had paused power supplies to user. To and improve our understanding of you or irrelevant please tell us and we be. Houses collapsed with serious damage to a major incident has been declared Heysham. This huge bang and i thought someone was breaking into my sons bedroom at the with... Fire and Rescue Service said: `` our officers were called to reports of an explosion a! Mailonline as usual, but he was confident there was no further risk went off, it was earthquake...