A young child has tragically died following a suspected gas explosion in the middle of the night that completely destroyed two houses.

Firefighters, police and paramedics scrambled to a street in Heysham, Lancs., at around 2.30am today (Sun) after residents were woken by the sound of a blast.

Police have now confirmed that sadly a young child died in the explosion while another four people have been hospitalised, two with serious injuries.
A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "We remain at the scene of a suspected gas explosion on Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham.

"We were called at 2.40am this morning to reports that a number of houses on the road had collapsed.

"Our officers attended and found two houses collapsed and serious damage to a third property.

"We can now confirm that sadly a young child has died as a result of the incident. The family have been informed and our thoughts remain with them at this distressing time.

"Another four people, two men and two women have been taken to hospital. Two of those people have serious injuries."