A man has appeared in court charged with the manslaughter of a two-year-old boy in a suspected gas explosion which flattened a number of homes.
Jamie Heaton died in the blast while watching TV in his home in Shaw, Oldham, on June 26.
Andrew Partington, 27, who was injured in the incident, has been charged with manslaughter and causing criminal damage worth more than £1m and appeared at Oldham Magistrates' Court..
Partington suffered 40% burns and a broken back in the explosion in Buckley Street and was recently brought out of a coma at the hospital where he was treated.
Partington, who had a bandaged left arm, a bandaged right hand and appeared to be wearing a back-brace, came into the dock with difficulty and was helped to sit down by two police officers who remained with him during the hearing.
He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
Partington was remanded in custody and will appear at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court tomorrow morning.
The seat of the blast was at his rented terrace house, which was next door to the home of Jamie and his parents, Kenny and Michelle.
