This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-43209057

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Leicester explosion: Search and rescue operation continues Leicester explosion: Mother and two sons 'among blast dead'
(about 1 hour later)
A search and rescue operation to find survivors of a fatal explosion in Leicester is continuing. A mother and two of her sons are believed to be among the five people who died in an explosion in Leicester.
Five people died in the blast in Hinckley Road at about 19:00 GMT on Sunday. Mary Ragoobar, 46, and sons Shane, 18, and Sean, 17, lived in the flat above the shop in Hinckley Road which was destroyed in the blast on Sunday.
Another five people were taken to hospital, one of whom was in a critical condition on Monday evening, Leicestershire Police said. Police said they are missing, along with Shane's girlfriend Leah Beth Reek, 18, and Viktorija Ljevleva, 22, who was working in the shop at the time.
The cause of the explosion, which residents said sounded "like an earthquake", is not yet known. A search and rescue operation to find survivors is continuing.
Leicestershire Police said human remains belonging to five people have been recovered from the wreckage.
The force said given the "devastation caused by the blast and fire", it may be some "considerable time" before the bodies can be formally identified.
Another five people were taken to hospital, one of whom remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Leicestershire Police said the cause of the explosion, which residents said sounded "like an earthquake", is not yet known.
The building consisted of a shop premises on the ground level and a two-storey flat above.The building consisted of a shop premises on the ground level and a two-storey flat above.
The shop had gone through many owners but recently became a Polish supermarket called Zabka. It is believed to have only been trading since the new year.The shop had gone through many owners but recently became a Polish supermarket called Zabka. It is believed to have only been trading since the new year.
Leicestershire Police said a section of Hinckley Road is expected to remain closed for most, if not all, of Tuesday. Police said a section of Hinckley Road is expected to remain closed for most, if not all, of Tuesday.
On Monday, Supt Shane O'Neill said police believe there may be more people unaccounted for.On Monday, Supt Shane O'Neill said police believe there may be more people unaccounted for.
A spokeswoman for the force confirmed the search and rescue operation is ongoing, and a large excavator and several emergency services vehicles remained at the scene this morning. A spokeswoman for the force confirmed the search and rescue operation is ongoing, and a large excavator and several emergency services vehicles remained at the scene.
A public meeting held on Monday night was attended by residents and businesses.A public meeting held on Monday night was attended by residents and businesses.
Matt Cane, group manager for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, described the search and rescue operation as "dynamic and challenging".Matt Cane, group manager for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, described the search and rescue operation as "dynamic and challenging".
"We have all been left shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible events of [Sunday] evening," he added."We have all been left shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible events of [Sunday] evening," he added.
Leicester City Council has asked for floral tributes to be left by the front steps of the Westcotes United Reform Church in Hinckley Road.Leicester City Council has asked for floral tributes to be left by the front steps of the Westcotes United Reform Church in Hinckley Road.