Heysham gas explosion: Parents' heartbreaking tribute to 'beautiful little angel', 2, killed in explosion

THE parents of a toddler who died following a suspected gas explosion have paid tribute to their "beautiful little angel".

Two-year-old George Hinds was killed in the blast in Heysham, Lancs, which left four others – including both his parents – in hospital. 

Lancashire Police said they were called to the explosion at 2.40am after reports that "a number" of houses on Mallowdale Avenue had collapsed.

Two terraced houses were reduced to rubble and heartbreaking images showed children’s toys lying in the debris. 

His mum and dad, Vicky Studholme and Stephen Hinds, who were injured, said in a statement released by cops: “We are devastated at the loss of our beautiful George.

“He was so precious to us. We have no words to describe how we feel and just want time to ourselves to come to terms with what has happened. 

“Our beautiful little angel grew his wings today.”

In a statement on Twitter, police said: "We remain at scene of a suspected gas explosion on Mallowdale Ave Heysham which has caused two houses to collapse and badly damaged another.

"Sadly, we can now confirm a young child has died & four other people have been injured, two seriously.

"Our thoughts are with all those affected."

'UTTER DEVASTATION'

Lancashire Fire Service, investigating the explosion, confirmed the four casualties – all adults – were being treated in hospital.

Images from the scene show the impact of the blast, with houses collapsed into rubble.

Barmaid Emilie Downie, 18, told The Sun Online: "The noise was incredible – like an earthquake.

"Steve next door was in the street in a state of shock. There was blood on his nose.

"His wife was trapped in a wardrobe and the house was only being held up by a beam.

"The firemen managed to get her out. It is terrible and so sad that the little boy has lost his life. It's devastating."

Neighbour Rachel Smith, 42, added: "It sounded like a bomb had gone off.

"I was woken by this huge bang. It was a big shock and it's devastating that a child has died."

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "I was woken by this huge bang.

"My bed shook – it was very scary. I looked out and it looked like utter devastation."

Grandma Sue Holt, 61, said: "It was terrifying.

"My bed shook – I thought it was going to go through the floor.

"The house shook with the bang. It's shocking. I feel sorry for the families. My heart breaks for them."

Another resident, who fled his home four doors down from the epicentre of the blast, told the Mirror: "It's blown my windows, front door and roof."

And Dan Knowles, who lives four streets away from the explosion, said he thought there had been an earthquake.

"My wife and I thought there was an earthquake which woke us, the whole house shook," he told the PA news agency.

"We immediately checked on our kids and got back in bed. We then heard sirens and my wife checked Facebook, when we found out that there'd been a gas explosion.

"We stayed indoors and switched everything off at the source and then sat up all night worrying."

My wife and I thought there was an earthquake which woke us, the whole house shook.

Scott Lancaster had been reading the news and jumped out of his seat when the explosion happened.

"It sounded like when you are at a firework display and the final rocket always lets off the biggest loud bang," he said.

Meanwhile, Anthony Davis, 58, was asleep in his caravan at the time.

"It was like a minor earthquake," he said. "From what we gather it's taken two or three houses with it.

"We live a quarter of a mile away and it shook our caravan – we thought something had hit it.

"We've got our little granddaughters staying overnight. We didn't know what it was."

Lancashire Fire said 10 units were called to a row of homes in the area at around 2.30am and that firefighters were searching a collapsed property.

They later said in a statement: "Two fire engines, the urban search and rescue unit, search and rescue dogs and the air support unit remain at the incident.

"Search operations continue and we are working with partners to make the area safe and investigate the cause of the explosion."

Local MP David Morris, who represents Morecambe and Lunesdale, wrote on Twitter: "My thoughts and prayers are with all of the families on Mallowdale Avenue following the incident this morning.

"Thank you to all of the emergency services who are currently on the scene."

The North West Ambulance Service said they sent "multiple resources" to the incident, including six ambulances, an advanced paramedic, four doctors and two on-scene commanders.

They said in a statement: "We treated five casualties at the scene.

"Four people were taken to hospital, two with serious injuries, and sadly a young child has died as a result of the incident.

"Our sincere condolences are with their family and loved ones."

Electricity North West tweeted that it had paused electricity supplies to the area for safety reasons while the blast was being investigated.

Road closures remain in place and police have asked people to avoid the area.

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