Explosion Parents Pay Tribute To Son

The parents of explosion victim Jamie Heaton have returned to the street where he was killed and paid tribute to their "amazing" son.

Michelle and Ken Heaton visited Buckley Street in Shaw, Greater Manchester, where two-year-old Jamie died when a blast destroyed their family home on Tuesday.

They released a statement after spending time viewing flowers and messages left by well-wishers near the spot where their house once stood.

The couple said: "Jamie was unique and amazing. We will miss everything about him."

They also thanked the local community for the "tremendous support" in the wake of the tragedy.

Jamie was killed and neighbour Andrew Partington, 27, suffered serious burns as Tuesday's blast flattened their homes and damaged scores of other houses.

Jamie died while watching TV in his home but his mother miraculously survived after stepping out to hang out washing in the yard.

Some residents have been returning home to the 175 properties evacuated after the suspected gas explosion.

Nearly 40 homes in nearby Oak Street have been reoccupied, as well as the whole of Gordon Street.

A local man, who inspected a boiler in the house where the explosion happened, was freed on police bail on Thursday following his arrest in London on suspicion of manslaughter.