Two people charged with manslaughter following explosion which killed toddler

Two year old George Hinds died in Heysham in May

Author: Louisa KingPublished 17th Dec 2021

Detectives investigating a gas explosion at a house in Heysham in which a toddler died have now charged two people with manslaughter.

We were called to reports of an explosion on Mallowdale Avenue at about 2.40am on Sunday, May 16th 2021.

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

Tragically toddler George Arthur Hinds, aged two years and 10 months, died as a result of the blast. Our thoughts remain with his loved ones.

George’s parents were also injured, although thankfully not seriously. They were taken to hospital for treatment and later discharged. They continue to be supported by specially trained officers.

A criminal investigation was launched in the days following the explosion and detectives, assisted by gas experts, identified the cause of the explosion as a gas pipe which had been cut inside number 20 Mallowdale Avenue.

In October, we made four arrests in connection with the investigation and today Sharon Greenham, 51, and Darren Greenham, 44, both of Ambleside Avenue, Lancaster were charged with manslaughter and theft.

They are both are due to appear at Lancaster Magistrates on January 12th 2022.