Four killed in Leicester explosion

 

Four people have died and four injured on seriously, in an explosion at a shop at 19:00 GMT on Sunday, in Leicester, according to Supt Shane O’Neill of the police. Police believe there may be more people unaccounted for and rescue efforts were continuing on Monday. The building consists of a shop premises a Polish supermarket on the ground floor and a two-storey flat above it. The shop was formerly a Londis supermarket.

According to Matt Cane, Group manager at Leicester Fire and Rescue Service, there is a possibility that there could be voids and areas of the building where people could still be alive following the collapse.

According to a witness, there was a noise which sounded like the pilot light of a house boiler being lit with a loud whoosh followed by tremor like an earthquake.

Hinckley Road, from its junction with Bolton Road to its Junction with Woodville Road, remains closed in both direction and motorist are advised to avoid the area. Electricity to several homes was affected by the explosion and a cordon was put in place.