Wednesday, June 27th 2012 07:04
FIVE homes in Shaw destroyed and two year old boy found dead
Police do not believe anyone to be unaccounted for following a large explosion in Shaw, Oldham.
At about 11.15am on Tuesday 26 June 2012, officers were on patrol in the Shaw area when they heard a loud explosion.
A number of GMP officers were at the scene within moments and carried out an initial search of properties damaged in the blast while awaiting assistance from colleagues.
It is believed two properties on the street ' numbers 9 and 11'were significantly damaged in the explosion.
Sadly, the body of a young child, two year old Jamie Heaton, was found inside one of the houses.
At this time detectives are treating his death as suspicious.
Another man, aged 27, was taken to hospital for treatment to burn injuries and remains in a serious but stable condition.
A search and rescue effort is ongoing but at this time police do not think anyone else is missing.
The injured man is not believed to be related to the young child.
Greater Manchester Police is working closely with the other emergency services and Oldham Council as part of its continued response to the incident.
Superintendent Neil Evans said: "First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of this young child who has tragically died.
"His loved ones are absolutely distraught and we will provide them with whatever support we can at what is clearly a very difficult and upsetting time.
"This incident has shocked the community of Shaw and I want to reassure them that all emergency services are committed to helping those whose homes are damaged in whatever way we can and to get all others who have been evacuated back home as soon as possible.
"When incidents such as this happen communities really pull together and this is the case in Shaw. All residents are rallying around one another and I know they will continue to support each other and the emergency services over the coming hours and days.
"Men and women from all emergency services have taken great risks today and on behalf of GMP I would like to thank them all for their efforts.
"We are also aware of some rumours within the local community about a potential domestic disturbance in the area last night.
"What I can categorically say is that if that is the case, the police were not called. However, if anyone has any information about this, particularly if they think it might be relevant to what happened today, I would urge them to get in touch.”
Anyone with any information can call police on 0161 856 8959, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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