A YOUNG CHILD has died following a large explosion in the northern England town of Oldham earlier today.

Police in Greater Manchester say that shortly after 11.15am, police were called to the area of Shaw following a report that homes had been seriously damaged in a large explosion.

Sky News is reporting this evening that police have described the death of the child as “suspicious”. A man who was also caught in the blast, and who is not related to the child, is in hospital suffering from 80 per cent burns to his body.

A police superintendent told the media that one person was unaccounted for and the rubble is being searched through but BBC News now reports that everyone is accounted for.

A fire service spokesperson told the BBC : “As far as we care concerned, everyone is accounted for.”

Three terraced properties on Buckley Street were affected and a cordon is in place with police, fire and ambulance services on the scene. Sniffer dogs have also been brought into search the area which was covered in debris.

The Guardian reports that windows in nearby shops and houses were blown out by the force of the blast.

“We are working with Oldham Council to make arrangements for those who may need to remain evacuated,” Superintendent Neil Evans said in a statement.

Sky News reports that National Grid said it had received a report of a smell of gas this morning at around 10.40am.

“This was shortly followed by another call to report that there had been an explosion,” the company said in a statement.