A major incident has been declared in the Lancashire town of Heysham where many people travel to and from the Isle of Man with the Steam Packet.

A child has died and four adults were injured following the suspected gas explosion just over two miles from the ferry port.

Firefighters, police and ambulances were sent to Mallowdale Avenue in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Two houses collapsed and serious damage was done to a third property, Lancashire Police said.

Lancashire Fire said: ’A major incident has been declared after we [were] called to terraced houses on Mallowdale Avenue.

’It has been reported that there has been an explosion at a property and firefighters are searching the collapsed property.’

Lancs Live reported: ’Residents have been evacuated from the area, while a safety cordon and road closures are in place, including on nearby Littledale Avenue.

People are asked to avoid the scene while emergency services respond.

The Manannan set sail from the Isle of Man this morning and is expected to arrive at Heysham shortly after 11am.

The return sailing is set to depart the port at 2.16pm.Local MP David Morris, who represents Morecambe and Lunesdale, wrote on Twitter: 'My thoughts and prayers are with all of the families on Mallowdale Avenue following the incident this morning. Thank you to all of the emergency services who are currently on the scene.'Dan Knowles, who lives four streets away from the explosion, said he thought there had been an earthquake.'My wife and I thought there was an earthquake which woke us, the whole house shook,' he told the PA news agency.