Five people confirmed dead in Leicester explosion: Police

Five people have died and four others injured following an explosion that has left a building in the English city of Leicester in flames, police have confirmed.

Leicestershire Police initially asked the public to stay away from the street in Leicester where the explosion took place in the west of the city on Sunday night. Later on police described it as a "major incident."

Police said one among the four injured was in critical condition, and that there may be more people unaccounted for and rescue efforts were continuing.

“There are four confirmed fatalities at this stage and a number of people still undergoing treatment in hospital,” said Supt Shane O’Neill. “The building consisted of a shop premises on the ground level and a two-story 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.

“Once the site is deemed to be safe a joint investigation with Leicestershire fire and rescue service will begin looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident, which at this stage is not being linked to terrorism.”