Death toll rises after Leicester shop blast

Death toll rises after Leicester shop blast

The number of people to have died following an explosion in Leicester city centre has risen to five.

Police searched for survivors in the rubble of a shop and apartment destroyed by an explosion that injured five others.

CCTV footage posted on the local newspaper's website showed the entire front of the building shooting into the road as a car passed. The scene was then engulfed in fire.

Police and the fire service said it would take time to establish what caused the explosion but that there was no immediate indication it was linked to terrorism.

"There are still pockets of fire in the basement area of the building," said Matt Crane of Leicestershire Fire Service.

"We have a significant number of specialist search and rescue teams who are supported by two search dogs."

Five people were taken to hospital, one of whom remains in a critical condition, police said.

 

Published: by Radio NewsHub
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