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Leicester explosion: Mother and two sons 'among blast dead' Leicester explosion: Mother and two sons 'among blast dead'
(about 1 hour later)
A mother and two of her sons are believed to be among the five people who died in an explosion in Leicester.A mother and two of her sons are believed to be among the five people who died in an explosion in Leicester.
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.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.
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. 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.
Human remains belonging to five people have been recovered from the wreckage. Remains belonging to five people have been recovered from the wreckage.
Leicestershire Police said given the "devastation caused by the blast and fire", it may be some "considerable time" before the bodies can be formally identified. Leicestershire Police said given the "devastation caused by the blast and fire", it may be some "considerable time" before the bodies are formally identified.
A search and rescue operation to find survivors is continuing. A search operation is continuing but police said they did not expect to find any survivors.
Another five people were taken to hospital, one of whom remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries. Five people were taken to hospital, one of whom remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police said "detailed work" is being carried out "as part of the rescue operation and in an attempt to understand what caused the explosion". Supt Shane O'Neill said: "Tragically, all we are now looking for is any further human remains.
"This is vital work that is being done, on behalf of the victims and their families, and it will take some time to complete.
"People lost their lives on Sunday in the most horrific way. We need to understand why the building exploded."
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 most recently was a Polish supermarket called Zabka. It is believed to have been trading since January.
A section of Hinckley Road is expected to remain closed throughout Tuesday.A section of Hinckley Road is expected to remain closed throughout Tuesday.
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.
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, said he could not rule out the possibility more bodies could be recovered from the scene.
"We have all been left shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible events of [Sunday] evening," he added. "While we have no intelligence to suggest this is the case, we cannot rule out that possibility until the search is over," he said.
Leicester City Council has asked for floral tributes to be left by the front steps of the Westcotes United Reform Church in Hinckley Road. Support is being provided by police family liaison officers to the families of the five people known to be missing, Leicestershire Police added.
Leicester City Council has asked for flowers to be left near the front steps of the Westcotes United Reform Church in Hinckley Road.
A rest centre, which was opened at St Anne's Church, in Letchworth Road, to support residents who had to leave their homes after the blast has now been converted into a support and information centre.