The heartbroken parents of a 2-year-old boy who tragically died in a suspected gas explosion have paid a heartfelt tribute to their son.

Police have confirmed that George Arthur Hinds passed away in the explosion.

His devastated parents Stephen Hinds and Vicky Studholme were also injured but not life-threatening.

In a heartbreaking tribute to their ‘little angel,’ the parents said: “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.”

Lancashire Police said that two other people remain in hospital with critical injuries.

Local authority and partners and emergency services remained at the site and a safety cordon also remains in place.

Gas service engineers are doing their best to make the area safe again as other residents have been evacuated.

The explosion destroyed three homes, with police evacuating nearby residents at around 2:40 am.

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “We remain at the scene of a suspected gas explosion on Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham. We were called at 2.40am this morning (Sunday May 16th) 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.”

Paramedics of the North West Ambulance said five people were treated at the scene, four were rushed to hospital and two are suffering from critical injuries.

The spokesperson also confirmed that a child had died in the blast.

One neighbor told The Mirror: “It’s blown my windows, front door and roof.”

Another resident, 18-year-old Emilie Downie, told The Sun: “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.”

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