Blast horror
SEVERAL FEARED DEAD IN SHOP EXPLOSION:
A CONVENIENCE store and the flat above it were reduced to burning rubble after a massive explosion last night.
Police declared a “major incident” just after 7pm as fire crews battled the huge flames. Part of the terrace, including a Polish shop and the flat above, were flattened. It is not known how many people were in the buildings in Hinckley Road, Leicester, but four were taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Savannah George, 17, was working next door at TJ’s Burgers. She said: “I just took a phone order and the next thing there was a massive explosion.
“Takeaway boxes flew off the wall from the force and the ceiling in our store partially collapsed.”
Neighbours rushed to the scene to help clear the rubble, fearing people were trapped.
Resident John Halliwell said: “I saw people pulling up chunks and searching for people underneath.
“The shop was open until 10pm so there would have been people in there at the time.”
Authorities confirmed a search and rescue was under way. About 60 houses nearby were evacuated.
Some locals suggested the explosion was caused by gas.
People were pulling up chunks of rubble and searching for people JOHN HALLIWELL ON AFTERMATH OF BLAST