This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-18594635#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Oldham explosion: Child dies as house 'completely flattened' Oldham explosion: Child dies as house 'completely flattened'
(40 minutes later)
A child has died in an explosion which "completely flattened" a house in the Shaw area of Oldham.A child has died in an explosion which "completely flattened" a house in the Shaw area of Oldham.
At least one person is believed to be trapped after five terraced houses were damaged in the suspected gas blast, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said. Five terraced houses were damaged in the suspected gas blast in Buckley Street, a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) spokesman said.
One man was taken to hospital with 80% burns, while another person remains unaccounted for. Firefighters are searching the rubble in Buckley Street. One man was taken to hospital with 80% burns. Another person who was missing has been accounted for, said firefighters.
National Grid said there was a report of a "gas escape" at 10:40. National Grid said there was a report of a "gas escape" at 10:40 BST.
One hundred homes have been evacuated and Oldham Council has set up a rest centre at Crompton House School in Rochdale Road for residents removed from their homes.One hundred homes have been evacuated and Oldham Council has set up a rest centre at Crompton House School in Rochdale Road for residents removed from their homes.
Supt Neil Evans, of GMP, said: "What I am now able to confirm is that there has been at least one fatality.Supt Neil Evans, of GMP, said: "What I am now able to confirm is that there has been at least one fatality.
"That is believed to be a young child from one of the addresses and the next of kin has been informed of that fact.""That is believed to be a young child from one of the addresses and the next of kin has been informed of that fact."
He said in addition to the man taken to hospital, another man was unaccounted for, while another person was known to be trapped.
He said: "One individual we can see, we are trying to remove debris to get that person out."
He added that "urgent inquiries" were being made to try to locate the person who was so far unaccounted for.
A fire service helicopter with listening equipment is at the scene trying to detect if people are trapped in the rubble.A fire service helicopter with listening equipment is at the scene trying to detect if people are trapped in the rubble.
North West Ambulance Service said the burns victim had been taken to Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.North West Ambulance Service said the burns victim had been taken to Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.
More than 30 firefighters are at the scene.More than 30 firefighters are at the scene.
Specialist search and rescue teams, including a dog, are involved in the operation and extra teams have been drafted in from neighbouring Lancashire Fire Service.Specialist search and rescue teams, including a dog, are involved in the operation and extra teams have been drafted in from neighbouring Lancashire Fire Service.
'Absolutely frightening'
Alex Perkins, who lives across the road, said: "It's like a war zone - tiles that have blown off literally across the streets, there's just debris everywhere. It's mad.Alex Perkins, who lives across the road, said: "It's like a war zone - tiles that have blown off literally across the streets, there's just debris everywhere. It's mad.
"It's just empty, there's nothing there, just bricks on the floor, just rubble.""It's just empty, there's nothing there, just bricks on the floor, just rubble."
Georgian Ulla, who also lives on the street, said her house "shook like it was an earthquake".Georgian Ulla, who also lives on the street, said her house "shook like it was an earthquake".
"All the lights shook - I thought someone was breaking in to begin with," she said."All the lights shook - I thought someone was breaking in to begin with," she said.
"First thing that I saw was all the toys on the floor. Apparently there are kids that live in the house.""First thing that I saw was all the toys on the floor. Apparently there are kids that live in the house."
Ashfaq Hussein, whose father is the landlord of the house where the explosion took place, said: "We are absolutely shocked."
He said the man who suffered the serious burns and his partner were due to get married soon.
Shaw ward councillor Mark Alcock, who lives a quarter of a mile away, described the scene as "utter carnage".Shaw ward councillor Mark Alcock, who lives a quarter of a mile away, described the scene as "utter carnage".
"An end-terrace house has been completely flattened and properties up to 800m away have had their windows blown in," he said."An end-terrace house has been completely flattened and properties up to 800m away have had their windows blown in," he said.
"It's a real mess… we understand there are people trapped in other properties," he added."It's a real mess… we understand there are people trapped in other properties," he added.
Peter Travis, who works nearby, said: "I heard the loudest bang you could ever hear, then I could see bits of slate going through the air like ticker tape.Peter Travis, who works nearby, said: "I heard the loudest bang you could ever hear, then I could see bits of slate going through the air like ticker tape.
"Bits of slate were landing near us about 250 metres away."Bits of slate were landing near us about 250 metres away.
"I could then hear alarms going off and then a silence, it was absolutely frightening.""I could then hear alarms going off and then a silence, it was absolutely frightening."
Craig Needham who runs a nearby garage, said staff ran outside when they heard the explosion.Craig Needham who runs a nearby garage, said staff ran outside when they heard the explosion.
"We could just see a black plume, we thought a bomb had dropped," he said."We could just see a black plume, we thought a bomb had dropped," he said.
Are you in the area? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in the area? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions