Five people have been killed and five others remain in hospital after a "massive explosion" ripped through a residential area in central England, Leicestershire police have confirmed.

Sean Ragoobeer,18, and his girlfriend Leah Reek were among those killed in the explosion along with mother Mary, his brother Sean, and 22-year-old Polish shop worker Viktorija Ljevleva.

They added that more casualties may still be found.

A fire broke out immediately after the explosion in the Hinckley Road area of Leicester, at around 7pm yesterday evening (February 25). Video footage from the scene shows a building engulfed in flames.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said the building suffered a "pancake collapse" after the blast. It is thought a Polish grocery shop and a two-storey flat above it were destroyed.

They added that six fire engines were sent to the scene. The incident was being treated as a search-and-rescue operation. A hazardous material response team was also deployed.

At least 60 homes in the area were also evacuated, the police added.

They said five people were still being treated in hospital, with one in critical condition.

The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined but there has been no indication that this was a terror-related incident, the force said.