Five confirmed dead at Leicester shop explosion

Fire crews at the aftermath of an eplosion on Hinckley Road, Leicester (Credit: Matt Cane / Leics Fire and Rescue)

Five people are now confirmed to have died following an explosion and fire at a Leicester shop.

Five others were taken to hospital, one of whom remains in a critical condition.

Roads were closed off as the rescue work at the scene of the Polish supermarket, which had a flat above it, continued.

Superintendent Shane O’Neill said: “We believe there may be people who have not yet been accounted for and rescue efforts continue in order to locate any further casualties.

“Although the cause of the explosion is not yet known, there is no evidence that this is linked to terrorism.”

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service and Leicestershire Police were called to the scene at about 7pm on Sunday night after the explosion, which destroyed the building.

Matt Cane, group manager from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, added: “It may be some days yet before we will be able to establish the probable cause of the explosion.”

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