Police complete blast scene inquiries

CRIME-scene investigators have finished their probe of the Shaw gas blast site and handed control of the area to Oldham Council.

Almost 40 homes still cordoned off: 11 of 20 in jeopardy will be demolished.

The police investigation into the cause of the blast continues: officers are still waiting to interview Andrew Partington (27), who was in the house as the explosion occurred, and suffered serious burns. He remains unconscious in hospital. Next-door neighbour Jamie Heaton (2) was killed.

A 32-year-old gas fitter from Shaw was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and bailed.

Chief Superintendent Tim Forber, head of Oldham police division, said: “I want to reassure residents that this doesn’t signify the end of our involvement.

“It is important to stress that a number of houses remain structurally unsafe and dangerous: anyone found trying to gain access to those houses within the cordon will be dealt with by police.”

The residents of the 38 properties inside the cordoned area - including Jamie’s family - have individual liaison officers to ensure their housing needs are met and to help them with any other problems.



A mother now back at home following the gas blast has organised a fund-raiser for the Oldham Distress Fund - as a thank-you for the help her family has received.
Charlotte Dobbs, her partner Andrew Racz and two children, Ellis and Jake, of Gordon Street, moved back into their home after three days.

Charlotte and her friend, Sarah McGuire, decided to put together create four hampers to raffle for the Oldham Distress Fund.

Charlotte said: “Everyone helped me — I got free nappies and toiletries from Crompton House. All I had on were my flip-flops and my children didn’t even have coats on.

“My friend Sarah and I decided to help give something back.”

Raffle tickets for the hampers — containing chocolate, wine, DVDs and biscuits — are available from the Cricketers Arms and the Weavers Answer in Shaw, the Londis shop in High Crompton and James Briggs in Salmon Fields, Royton.

Briggs has donated 30 cartons of cleaning products to Shaw explosion victims.


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