As affected residents begin to move back into their properties the rest centre for families is being relocated to a more central location in Shaw.

This will offer better accommodation with dedicated play provision for children and more confidential areas for advice and support.

From 9.00am on Friday June 29, the Lifelong Learning centre on High Street, Shaw, OL2 8TB, will act as Rest Centre.

The centre will continue to offer support, a place to meet and refreshments to affected families. It will be open every day between 9am to 7pm.

An advice centre is being opened in nearby Shaw Library on Farrow Street which will offer a quiet, confidential space for residents to obtain advice about benefits, welfare and financial support.

The advice centre will be open from 10am to 2pm every day including over the weekend. There will also be a later advice session on Monday, July 2 between 6pm and 8pm.

From Friday June 29, the donation centre, where residents can drop off any donations and affected families can access supplies, will be relocated to the Salvation Army on Farrow Street East in Shaw.

The donation centre will be open from 10am to 3pm every day and can receive non-cash donations of:

• Clothing
• Bedding
• Toiletries
• Cleaning products
• Toys and Games
• Small furniture items
• Non-perishable foods

Immediately following the explosion, Crompton House School offered their sports hall as a temporary Rest Centre for those affected by the incident.

For the past three days this facility has been vital in supporting the local community.

Councillor Howard Sykes said: “The Council, our partners and all the residents affected are enormously grateful to Crompton House School.”

“The staff and pupils have been tremendously generous and wonderfully flexible. Without their fantastic contribution this tragic situation would have been even more distressing and difficult to manage.

“The facility they provided has been invaluable in ensuring that we had a place where residents could be safe and were able to access advice and services and receive much needed donations.

“But we always knew we would need a longer term solution, as many of the residents will find their properties inaccessible for some time. Residents also needed a centre closer to the affected area and one with more tailored facilities.

“We believe these new arrangements will provide the services that the community needs in a way that is accessible yet still ensures space to provide confidentiality and individual support.”

Oldham Council is launching an official Distress Fund for all residents affected by yesterday’s gas explosion in Shaw.
 
The blast in Buckley Street yesterday morning killed two-year-old Jamie Heaton and residents at up to 100 properties in the area were also evacuated to a Rest Centre at Crompton House school.
 
Work to assess the extent of damage to the properties which were not destroyed is still ongoing.
 
The Council is setting up the Oldham Distress Fund which enables people and organisations to make donations from tomorrow to those residents directly affected by the incident.
 
Councillor Howard Sykes said: “The generosity of local people in these tragic circumstances has been inspirational to everyone concerned.”
 
“We’ve been inundated with offers of assistance from residents, businesses and partner groups all wanting to help the people affected in Shaw in whatever way they can. We have now established this official Distress Fund to give people an opportunity to donate.
 
“Funds will be used to contribute towards relieving the distress and suffering they are experiencing and pay for items and costs incurred through the explosion. It will also provide short-term financial support to those awaiting payment of insurance claims and support those without insurance cover.
 
“The hardship being suffered by these people is shocking – and is not just financial, it is also emotional.
 
“Many of the items that people will have lost will potentially have comparatively little monetary value, but enormous sentimental value to them as families.
 
“In addition to the official Distress Fund – and the significant donations of clothing, food and other items we’re getting – Council officers are also now based at the Rest Centre offering interest free cash loans to those residents directly facing immediate hardship.

“Officers are also available to give information and help to people on, for example, benefits and insurance claims.
 
“Oldham Council and its partners are totally committed to doing whatever is necessary to help these people – and we’re certain that many will want to contribute to the Distress Fund.”
 
From tomorrow (Thursday, June 28) residents will be able to donate directly to the Oldham Distress Fund via internet and phone.
 
You will be able to donate online via Oldham Council’s website at www.oldham.gov.uk

You can also call 0161 770 6611 during the opening hours of 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday) and 9am to 1pm (Saturday only).

I am sure that most of you are already aware of the tragic incident that took place in Shaw yesterday morning.
 
At around 11.30 am Oldham Council was alerted to a possible gas explosion on Buckley Street.
 
Tragically, two-year-old Jamie Heaton was killed in the blast, which destroyed at least three houses and caused a huge amount of damage.
 
The Council immediately activated the emergency plan, with officers attending the scene and manning the control room.
 
We acted with urgency to provide support for residents affected by the explosion, setting up a rest centre at Crompton House School, which provided help and information to over 100 people who visited throughout the day.
 
I’d like to thank the community and local businesses who have also provided vital support to residents.  
 
Members of the public donated essentials, supermarkets provided vital supplies and a local taxi firm took residents to temporary accommodation for the night.
 
Council officers are now focusing on how best to support residents in their time of need, both in the short and long term.
 
We must meet the immediate requirements of the people who are affected by this, then look to support them in rebuilding their lives – no matter how long it takes.
 
The council’s building control team are inspecting the site today to asses the damage in detail and establish which properties are safe to return to.
 
They are also working closely with the Police and other agencies to ensure that residents are kept informed with developments as they happen.
 
Later today we will also announce the establishment of a Disaster Fund and I’m sure that many of you will want to contribute to this. Details will be available on the Oldham Council’s website when they are confirmed.
 
It goes without saying that all our thoughts and sympathies are with the families affected by this terrible instance.