Oldham Explosion: Murder Investigation of Jamie Heaton Launched as National Grid Confirm Blast was Not Due to Gas Leak [VIDEO]

Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a two-year old Jamie Heaton at an explosion at a home in Shaw, Oldham.

Jamie was killed in the explosion at a house in Buckley Street, Shaw. His neighbour, Andrew Partington, 27, suffered severe burns and it being treated in hospital.

National Grid has now confirmed that the explosion was not due to a gas pipe leak following an investigation.

This news arrived after police previously confirmed they are now treating the case as a "homicide investigation".

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Heywood, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "We have had some information to suggest it may not be accidental so we are treating it as a suspicious death and therefore a homicide investigation is undertaken."

"We have not made any arrests but we have a significant number of witnesses that we want to interview.

"At this time, I would not say we have an exact cause for the fire or an exact reason for why this happened but that will form part of this investigation."

The National Grid said: "National Grid has now completed its investigation into the explosion in Buckley Street, Shaw.

"The company can confirm that the incident was not caused by a leak from its gas distribution pipes

"Greater Manchester Police has now taken control of the site and are treating it as a crime scene.

"National Grid's thoughts remain with the families of those who have suffered a loss or injury in the incident."

Police confirmed another adult and five children live in the house with Partington but were away from the area at the time of the explosion.

Heywood also told reporters Jamie had been watching TV in the front room when the explosion happened. His mother survived the explosion as she was hanging out clothes in the backyard.

"What that mother must be going through must be unbelievable, so our hearts go out to her," added Heywood.

The area was evacuated after the blast. A rest centre was set up at Crompton House School in Rochdale Road for the local residents.