The parents of a toddler who died in a suspected gas explosion in Heysham have paid tribute to their ‘beautiful little angel.’

Emergency services were called to the scene of the blast on Mallowdale Avenue at about 2.40am yesterday (May 16).

Officers attended and found two houses collapsed with serious damage to a third property.

Very sadly George Arthur Hinds, aged two years and 10 months, died as a result of the incident.

George’s parents Vicky Studholme and Stephen Hinds were also injured, although thankfully not seriously.

In a tribute they 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.”

Two other people remain in hospital with injuries described as critical.

A number of residents have been evacuated and are being looked after by the local authority.

A GoFundMe page set up by a local woman has raised over £37,000 to help the families affected by the explosion.

Heather Brandwood, who manages a pub in Morecambe, set up the fundraiser and said it was “humbling” to see the community pull together in such a way.

She said residents were queuing up in the car park of the Hurley Flyer pub to donate clothing and toiletries to evacuated residents.

The police are asking people to avoid the area while they deal with the incident.

Anyone with any information should contact police on log 0180 of May 16 or on the Major Incident Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/0401020121W04-PO1