Five people now confirmed dead as body is pulled from Leicester explosion rubble

        A body has been discovered at the scene of the explosion in Leicester bringing the death toll from the blast to five, police said. 

Specialist search and rescue crews from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, supported by two search dogs, have been working through the rubble.


The building, a Londis shop with a flat above, was destroyed by the explosion that happened at about 7pm on Sunday. 

Leicestershire Police said on Monday morning that four people had died, but there were fears more bodies could be discovered at the scene. 

Another five people were taken to hospital following the incident in Hinckley Road, and one remains in a critical condition.

Superintendent Shane O’Neill said: ‘We know the explosion and subsequent fire will have caused considerable concern to residents and business owners in the area and we would like to thank people for their support and patience while teams continue with their work at the scene. 

‘There are now five confirmed fatalities and a number of people still undergoing treatment in hospital. The building consisted of a shop premises on the ground level and a two-storey flat above it.

‘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.’

 In a statement, police said rescue work at the scene had been temporarily suspended due to the structural integrity of a neighbouring building.

The search and rescue work is expected to resume later on Monday afternoon. 

Police declared the explosion a ‘major incident’ and firefighters launched a search and rescue operation after members of the public heard the explosion and called 999. 

Dramatic photos and videos posted on social media show witnesses standing on the other side of the road in shock while police officers frantically cordon off the area.

Fire crews said the building, consisting of the shop and a flat above, suffered a ‘pancake collapse’ due to the fireball. 

Debris was blasted across the road as the building, which is in a terrace of shops, was completely destroyed.



METRO