A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy who suffered severe burns after a horrific gas explosion has died in hospital.

Andrew Marsden, his brother Stephen, six, and their parents Lynn and John escaped into their garden after the blast at their Standen Road home on Easter Monday.

Fire bosses said a building up of gas in the ground floor had ignited and the blast blew the back doors open.

Today it was confirmed that Andrew had died of his injuries at Booth Hall Children's Hospital, Manchester.

Neighbours of the family today said they were praying for the recovery of Andrew's parents and brother and that this was the end of the tragedy for them.

Fellow pupils at St Andrew's Primary School in Clitheroe were due to be told of the death at assembly today.

Today neighbour Derek Turner, who was one of the first to the scene after the explosion, said the whole neighbourhood had been numbed by the tragedy.

He said: "The circumstances have hit everyone quite hard especially since the news of Andrew's death and the whole community is hoping the remainder of the family pull through this tragedy.

"They seemed a quiet family who kept themselves to themselves really but most people knew them at least to say hello to.

"Now we are all thinking of them and hoping that they make a good recovery and this is the end of the tragedy for them."

A collection had been arranged among the family's neighbours and a card and flowers have been sent to wish them a speedy recovery.

Julia Mooney, another neighbour, said: "The whole family had a lovely nature and the children were always smiling -- Andrew was a lovely little boy. Both parents worked very hard and had made that house lovely.

"I pray to God they will be okay. I am thinking of them and sending them my love and support.

"I hope the others come out of this and can lead a normal life again without any permanent scars."

Fire crews evacuated seven houses in the street and the air ambulance took Mr Marsden to Royal Preston Hospital after the explosion.

Lynn, Andrew and Stephen were taken to hospital by ambulance. Each suffered 25 to 40 per cent burns and they were treated in the burns unit at the hospital.

The Marsden's private home has been deemed uninhabitable by Ribble Valley Borough Council's building inspectors because the explosion lifted the roof several inches, making it dangerous.

Stephen Marsden is recovering in Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool.

Parents, John and Lynn, are said to be 'stable' in the Royal Preston Hospital

Firefighters and gas company Transco are still investigating the cause of the blast.