Oldham parents' tribute to son

Oldham Council says a number of properties in the immediate area of the explosion will have to be demolished.

Ten properties were seriously affected. The council says others will have to be assessed for structural damage.

The parents of a two-year-old killed in an explosion in Shaw, Greater Manchester, visited the scene earlier and looked at messages and flowers left by well-wishers in memory of their son.

Detective Chief Inspector Pete Marsh, from Greater Manchester Police, reads a statement on behalf of Michelle and Kenny Heaton, Jamie's parents.

Before the statement was read the couple looked at messages and flowers left by well-wishers in memory of their son, who died in a suspected gas explosion.

The parents of two-year-old Jamie Heaton, who died in an explosion in Shaw, Greater Manchester, paid tribute to their son, saying: "Jamie was unique and amazing. We will miss everything about him."

A man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over a gas blast which killed a two-year-old boy has been released on bail.

The 32-year-old from the Shaw area of Oldham was held in London yesterday and was taken to Manchester today for questioning in connection with Tuesday's massive explosion.

Police said they understood the suspect may have done some boiler maintenance work at one of the houses in Buckley Street, Oldham.

A man arrested in connection with an explosion in Shaw has been released on bail. Greater Manchester Police have said:

Melanie Maher is friends with the mother of two year old Jamie Heaton who was killed in a gas explosion in Shaw. Ms Maher spoke to her this morning. She told reporters that Ms Heaton is distraught and can't stop crying, she keeps saying I want my baby back.

A police inspector at the scene of the explosion in Oldham has confirmed that a "domestic incident" was reported in the home ofAndrew Partington, where the explosion is thought to have happened.

He told reporters the incident took place 4-5 weeks before the explosion and that Mr Partington was given a conditional discharge through the Magistrate's Court.