Over £20,000 has been raised for the families affected by a suspected gas explosion in Heysham which killed a young child.

Residents of Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham, Lancashire, were woken in the early hours of Sunday by an explosion which left nearby streets and fields covered with debris.

A young child has died and four people have been injured, two of them are seriously injured.

Pub landlady and local resident, Heather Brandwood set up a GoFundMe appeal after seeing the explosion on the news.

She told the PA news agency: “Although we don’t know any of the people personally, we don’t need to know someone’s name or face to help them.

“People have really pulled together as a community, it’s really humbling.

“Anything we can do that might relieve a bit of pressure and a little bit of stress for those involved is worth doing.”

In total, 10 fire engines, with 80 firefighters rushed to the scene at about 2.40am this morning.

The ambulance service and police have also been on the scene which has now been stood down from being a major incident.

Heather Brandwood added that people been queuing in the car park of her pub the Hurley Flyer in nearby Morecambe to donate clothing and toiletries for evacuated residents.

Donations are also being accepted at its sister pub, the Bellflower in Preston.

Both pubs, she added, will provide free food and water to any families that have been left unable to return to their homes.

Ms Brandwood said: “We are very conscious that people were evacuated from their homes with immediate effect. We have heard from an elderly couple who left in their pyjamas. There is a woman who is in literally nothing but her nightie.

“The general public has been fantastic.”

Donations can be made at:https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-residents-of-mallowdale-avenue