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Leicester 'blast': Four people taken to hospital | Leicester 'blast': Four people taken to hospital |
(35 minutes later) | |
Four people have been taken to hospital after reports of an explosion and a fire in the Hinckley Road area of Leicester. | Four people have been taken to hospital after reports of an explosion and a fire in the Hinckley Road area of Leicester. |
Police declared a "major incident" after reports of an explosion just after 19:00 GMT. | Police declared a "major incident" after reports of an explosion just after 19:00 GMT. |
A police spokesman said: "At this stage there is no indication this is terrorist related." | A police spokesman said: "At this stage there is no indication this is terrorist related." |
Carlisle Street and part of Hinckley Road have been closed and people are being asked to avoid the area. | Carlisle Street and part of Hinckley Road have been closed and people are being asked to avoid the area. |
Six fire engines have been at the scene, Leicestershire Police said. Flames could be seen rising from a building in the middle of a parade of shops. | Six fire engines have been at the scene, Leicestershire Police said. Flames could be seen rising from a building in the middle of a parade of shops. |
BBC journalist John Alexander said the explosion had "blown debris and rubble across four lanes of traffic". | BBC journalist John Alexander said the explosion had "blown debris and rubble across four lanes of traffic". |
He said the emergency services had cordoned off about 60 houses in the area and people had been evacuated because of an "enormous" fire. | He said the emergency services had cordoned off about 60 houses in the area and people had been evacuated because of an "enormous" fire. |
'Pancake collapse' | 'Pancake collapse' |
A Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said they were involved in a "search and rescue" operation. | A Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said they were involved in a "search and rescue" operation. |
The affected property was a two-floor building with a loft conversion that had suffered a "pancake collapse", she said. | The affected property was a two-floor building with a loft conversion that had suffered a "pancake collapse", she said. |
All four casualties have been taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary, the ambulance service said, and crews remain at the scene. | All four casualties have been taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary, the ambulance service said, and crews remain at the scene. |
The hospital said all four patients are in a critical condition and asked people not to attend A&E unless "absolutely necessary". | The hospital said all four patients are in a critical condition and asked people not to attend A&E unless "absolutely necessary". |
Alpana Marwaha, who lives nearby, told the BBC: "I heard a bang and the house shook. We could see the flames. | Alpana Marwaha, who lives nearby, told the BBC: "I heard a bang and the house shook. We could see the flames. |
"You can still see the smoke coming, and the emergency services. There are few shops there and it is surrounded by houses," she added. | "You can still see the smoke coming, and the emergency services. There are few shops there and it is surrounded by houses," she added. |
She said that it was worrying being so close to the explosion and she hoped the authorities would establish its cause. | She said that it was worrying being so close to the explosion and she hoped the authorities would establish its cause. |
Pictures and video shared on social media appeared to show a shop engulfed in flames and the blaze visible from a distance. | Pictures and video shared on social media appeared to show a shop engulfed in flames and the blaze visible from a distance. |
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