Five people have died after explosion in Leicester

Five people have now been confirmed dead following an explosion and fire at a shop in Leicester last night (Sunday 25 February).

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

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service and Leicestershire Police responded to reports of an explosion and fire at a building in Hinckley Road at about 7pm.

The rescue work at the scene of the former supermarket in Hinckley Road has been temporarily suspended due to the structural integrity of a neighbouring building, and the search and rescue work will resume shortly.

Hinckley Road, from its junction with Bolton Road to its junction with Woodville Road, remains closed in both directions and motorists are advised to avoid the area.

Power supplies to a number of homes in the immediate area were affected by the incident and by lunchtime today will be restored to all but a handful of homes.