Time Line

Explosion Just after 7pm on February 25, residents reported hearing a 'loud bang' in the Hinckley Road area of the city. It soon became clear that there had been an explosion. Debris was strewn across the width of Hinckley Road and residents rushed out to help.

Police declare major incident At 7.20pm Leicestershire Police declared a major incident. The force said: "There has been a major incident on Hinckley Road, Leicester. All emergency services are currently dealing with this. Carlisle Street and part of Hinckley Road have been closed Please avoid the area."

Fire rips through shop Following the explosion, large flames ripped through the building, which was in a terrace of shops with flats above. A passer-by said: “The flames were absolutely huge. I’ll be amazed if someone hasn’t been killed or seriously injured.”

Hinckley Road cordoned off Police cordoned off the area surrounding the incident. Not long after the explosion our reporter at the scene, Ciaran Fagan, said: “There is a large crowd of people at the cordon at Westcotes Drive end of Hinckley Road. “The fire service is still directing water onto the scene of the explosion, and there are large clouds of steam or smoke or both coming off it. “There are at least four or five ambulances at the scene. “You can still hear sirens from all over the area, and there is a helicopter above. I’m assuming that’s the police helicopter.”

Scene described as 'absolute devastation' A passer-by who was just a few seconds’ walk from the scene when the blast happened said: “It’s absolute devastation. I’ve never seen anything like it in my entire life. “There was a huge bang, then loads of smoke, and then in just a minute or two the whole site was engulfed in flames and you could hear sirens. “The emergency services were at the scene extremely quickly. “There’s debris everywhere. “I’m in shock. I just hope there was nobody in the building. “It’s horrific.”

Homes evacuated There were 60 homes evacuated after the explosion as part of the emergency response. The huge fire with flames stretch could be seen for miles.

Search and rescue operation Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed at around 9pm that a search and rescue operation was under way. A spokeswoman said: “This is a search and rescue at the moment. “It is unknown if people are injured or trapped.” She added that the affected property was a two-floor building with a loft conversion that had suffered a “pancake collapse”.

Four people taken to hospital At around 9.45pm, East Midlands Ambulance Service said four casualties had been taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary. It was not known at this stage whether there were more injured people, or any information about the injuries suffered.

Cause unknown A spokesman for gas network operator Cadent said just before 10pm: “Our engineers have been called to assist the emergency services dealing with the incident in Hinckley Road, Leicester. “The cause is unknown and our priority is to assist the emergency services in making sure everyone is safe.” Electricity was switched off in the area surrounding the blast site.

Power out Power was out across the area after the incident. Wester Power Distribution said that power to 187 properties was cut. A spokeswoman told Leicestershire Live: “We will need to have the all clear from the other emergency services on site before we can reinstate the power. We apologise for this inconvenience.”

'No indication it's terror related' There was some speculation on social media and in some national media outlets that the incident might be terror related. Leicestershire Police said at 10.30pm there is nothing to indicate that that was the case. A spokesperson said in a statement: “The cause of the explosion will be the subject of a joint investigation by the police and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service. “We would ask that the media and public do not speculate about the circumstances surrounding the incident but at this stage there is no indication this is terrorist related.”

Six people in hospital After 11pm, East Midlands Ambulance Service said six people were in hospital following the explosion. It added that this would be its final update of the night on this incident. The service also thanked West Midlands Ambulance Service and Yorkshire Ambulance Service for dealing with 999 calls in Leicestershire while its crews dealt with this incident, which EMAS described as a “tragic event”.

Police confirm fatalities The next morning, at 7am, Leicestershire Police confirmed the explosion was a fatal incident. Four people were confirmed to have died in the explosion.

Four more in hospital Police said four more people were in hospital, one with serious injuries. There could be more casualties as a search and rescue operation was still ongoing.

Crews worked through the night Matt Cane, of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Crews have worked through the night, alongside partner agencies, as they continue to search the scene in order to try and locate any further survivors or casualties. “We have six fire crews on scene, including a specialist search and rescue team who are supported by two search dogs, and this level of resourcing is likely to be in place throughout the day. “The cause of the explosion and fire is still yet to be determined and we will work closely with colleagues from the police as our inquiries into the circumstances continue today.”

Site continues to smoulder Smoke continues to pour from the site in the morning. A tarpaulin screen was erected over the front of the building. Emergency crews continue to look for people who might be trapped in the rubble.

Dead includes 'young lad' No information has yet been released about the four people who died as a result of the blast, but Sir Peter Soulsby said one of the dead was a “young lad”. He said: “It is a shop I am quite familiar with have popped in there a few times. What is terribly sad is that among the dead is a young lad. “We will be looking to offer what support we can. “I will be going to the scene at some point but at the moment I am monitoring the situation and letting the emergency services get on with their jobs.”

Family of 4 believed to be living in flat Nicola Bishop, who owns The Sunshine Studio, a few doors along from the shop, now confirmed to be Polish store named Zabka Leicester, said she believed a family of four were living in the flat above the shop.

Death toll rises Just after 2pm on February 26, police announced that the death toll had risen to five. Leicestershire Police said that the number of people found dead in the collapsed building was five. Five people have died in the blast and another five people are in hospital, one who is critical.

'Disgusting' tweets condemned Police quickly issued a statement in the immediate aftermath of the blast stating it is not believed to be linked to terrorism. That didn't stop the former leader of the British National Party, Nick Griffin, and Katie Hopkins from tweeting inflammatory remarks though. Sir Peter Soulsby hit back, saying: “It has all the appearance of a tragic accident and trying to turn that into political capital is disgusting."

First picture emerges Late on Monday night the first picture of a family who have been missing since the blast emerged. Mary Ragoobar, 46, and her sons Shane, 18, and 17-year-old Sean have been missing since the explosion tore through their flat, and the shop beneath, Zabka. The boys’ dad, Jose Ragoobeer, 58, was at work at the time and received a call telling him about the tragedy.

Flowers at the scene The first flowers have been placed at the scene of the explosion in Hinckley Road. The emergency services continue to sift through the rubble this morning as the search of the site, and the investigation into the cause, continues.

Missing people named Five people missing after the explosion are named by police. Mary Rajoobeer, 46, and her two sons Shane, 18, and Sean, 17, lived in the flat above the supermarket which was destroyed in the explosion. All three are missing. Leah Beth Reek, 18, who is Shane’s girlfriend, is also missing, as is 22-year-old Viktorija Ljevleva who is thought to have been working in the supermarket at the time of the explosion.

No more survivors expected at Leicester explosion site Emergency services have confirmed the focus of the work at the scene has now changed to a search for any other remains over and above those already recovered. A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: "Painstaking work conducted over 36 hours at the scene of an explosion in Leicester have this lunchtime concluded that there are no survivors in the wreckage." Read more here.

Missing mum's workmates 'deeply shocked' Colleagues of missing Mary Ragoobeer have spoken of their shock following the tragedy. Mary has worked in the cafe at the city's Richard III visitor centre, in Peacock Lane, for two years. Chairman of the visitor centre Martin Traynor said: “Mary has been a popular member of the cafe team at the visitor centre for past two years." Read the full tribute here.

Colleagues set up fund for 'amazing' dad whose family are missing Workmates of an 'amazing' father whose wife and two elder sons are missing after the explosion have set up an online fund to raise money to support him and his younger child, who survived the blast. Jose Ragoobeer works as a carer for Pure Homecare’s Leicester office and had been visiting one of his vulnerable clients at the time of the explotion. Lola Ojomo, director of the Leicester office of the company, said: “Jose is a care worker and one of the best I’ve ever come across. He’s just an amazing guy." Read more here.

'Kind and funny' Shane Ragoobeer missing A teenager who is missing after Sunday night’s explosion has been called the “kindest” and “loveliest lad” by friends who fear the worst after the blast. Shane Ragoobeer, 18, is one of five still missing after the incident, along with his mother Mary, brother Sean, his girlfriend Leah Reek, 18, and 22-year-old Polish shop worker Viktorija Ljevleva. Read the tributes here.

One still in hospital One of the five people taken to hospital after Sunday night’s explosion is in a critical but stable condition, while the other four have been discharged from hospital. An investigation into the cause of the explosion is continues. Hinckley Road remains screened off to allow the emergency services to work.

3 men arrested Three people have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after Sunday night’s explosion in Hinckley Road. Those arrested have not been named but they are all men in their 30s and police said they were arrested on Wednesday afternoon and were being questioned by detectives. Police said in a statement: “One man comes from East Anglia, the second from the North West of the country, and the third from the East Midlands. “No further details will be released about these individuals at this stage."

Neighbouring property demolished A property next to the building that was demolished by the explosion has been demolished. The building next to the former shop Zabka, did house takeaway TJ's.

2 more men arrested On the afternoon of Friday, March 2, Leicestershire Police announced it had arrested two more men. The pair have been detained on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion and offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The men, who are from East Anglia, are both in custody being questioned

4 of 5 missing confirmed dead Later on Friday afternoon police confirmed that four of the five people missing after the blast had been confirmed as dead. Two teenage brothers, Shane Ragoobeer, 18, and brother Sean, 17, who lived in the flat above the destroyed Zabka store in Hinckley Road with their parents and younger brother, both died in the tragedy. Melton 18-year-old Leah Beth Reek, who was Shane's girlfriend, has also been confirmed as a victim. Viktorija Ijevleva, 22, of Oldham, is also one of the deceased. She was believed to be working in the shop at the time of the blast. The remaining missing person is Mary Ragoobeer, 46, Shane and Sean's mum. She is believed to be the fifth fatality, but that is yet to be confirmed.

Trio charged with manslaughter The three arrested a few days ago were charged with manslaughter on Saturday. They are: Aram Kurd, 33, of Hillary Place, Braunstone, Leicester

Hawkar Hassan, 32, of Eld Road, Coventry, originally thought to be from East Anglia

Arkan Ali, 37, of Drake Close, Oldham Kurd is the owner of the shop which exploded and spoke with reporters after the blast.

Sixth arrest On Sunday night police announced they had made a sixth arrest. A man was taken into custody on suspicion of manslaughter. The news came a week after the blast.

Further witness appeal made Police issued renewed plea for anyone with information to come forward. Detective Inspector Michelle Keen said: “I want to hear from anyone who was near the supermarket at the time and who, thinking back, remembers seeing something that they thought may have been suspicious."

Court appearance Three men charged in connection with the explosion in Leicester appeared in magistrates' court just over a week later. The trio, which includes the owner of the shop which exploded, were charged with five counts of manslaughter, and arson with intent to endanger life. No pleas were entered during the brief hearing and all three were remanded in custody.

6th man released A sixth man arrested by detectives investigating the explosion in Hinckley Road was released under investigation by police.

Further arrest A seventh person was arrested as the inquiry into the Hinckley Road explosion continues. A man described as being "in his 30s and from the East Midlands" was detained on suspicion of manslaughter, Leicestershire Police said. He was taken into custody to be questioned by detectives.

All identities confirmed Police have confirmed that Mary Ragoobeer was the fifth victim of the Hinckley Road explosion. Mrs Ragoobeer, 46, died along with two of her sons when their flat and the shop below it were caught up in the blast and subsequent fire. She was officially listed as missing until March 7.

Arrest made The seventh person to be arrested in connection with the explosion in Hinckley Roadwas released. The man in his 30s remained under investigation.

Inquests opened Inquests into the deaths of Viktorija Ijevleva, 22, Leah Reek, 18, Shane Ragoobeer, 18, Shane’s brother Sean, 17, and their mother Mary, 46, were opened at Leicester city coroner’s court by senior coroner Catherine Mason. This was done in three hearings, one for Viktorija, another for Leah, and a third for the Ragoobeer family. The families of all five victims were notified of the hearings but did not attend. The hearing heard police had not yet established a cause of death for the five.

Tributes paid Relatives of the victims spoke to pay tribute to their loved ones who lost their lives in the blast. Jose Ragoobeer, who lost his wife and two of his sons, said: "Every day they will all be missed. "Our lives will never be the same. What happened that day has affected so many peoples’ lives." Leah's family said in a statement that part of them is "gone forever". They said: "Our whole family’s heart is breaking because we have lost our beautiful, bubbly, baby girl." Natalija Ijevleva, Viktorija's mother, described her close bond with the young graduate, and said she and her other children miss her “terribly”.

Trio deny the charges Three men accused of manslaughter in connection with the explosion in Leicester which killed five people appeared in court to deny the charges. Arkan Ali, 37, Hawkar Hassan, 32, and Aram Kurd, 33, were all charged with five counts of manslaughter. The trio also pleaded not guilty to separate counts of arson being reckless as to endanger life and fraud by false representation. They were remanded into custody by Judge Philip Head until a further hearing on August 31 at the same court.

Road section reopens The stretch of Hinckley Road closed following the Leicester explosion reopens to traffic heading towards the city one month later. Both sides of the road were initially blocked off following the blast last month to allow for investigations and demolition work to be conducted. A stretch from the junction of Woodville Road remained closed in city-bound direction during this.

Eighth arrest made Police reveal they arrested and questioned an eighth person in connection with the Hinckley Road explosion. The man was detained in Leicester on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson. He was questioned about events leading to the explosion on the evening of Sunday, February 27, which claimed the lives of five people. He has been released but remains ‘under investigation’, the force said.

Government refuses council bid for Leicester Explosion support money The Government refused Leicester City Council’s request for hundreds of thousands of pounds to help cover the costs of dealing with the aftermath of the Hinckley Road explosion. The city council says it has built up ‘significant’ costs managing the scene of the blast. It also funded support for people displaced from their homes by the major incident in February.

Leicestershire pays tribute to Hinckley Road explosion first respondents The city of Leicester paid tribute to the heroic response of the emergency services who were first on the scene of the Hinckley Road explosion. The professional men and women who arrived after the fatal blast have been presented with a special award by George Oliver, editor of the Leicester Mercury and Leicestershire Live. Almost 150 emergency service personnel were joined by council workers and other specialists after the blast ripped apart a shop and the flat above. Ten representatives from Leicestershire Police, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service and Leicester City Council have now received a special award on behalf of those who were first on the scene.

Further arrest made A man from the North West was arrested by Leicestershire Police. He was later bailed.

Murder charges for trio accused of Leicester shop explosion Three men accused in connection with Leicester’s Hinckley Road shop explosion are now facing five counts of murder. The defendants, who appeared at Leicester Crown Court, were originally charged with the manslaughter of five people who died in the blast which also demolished the flat above the shop, on the evening of Sunday February 25. The shop owner, Aram Kurd , 33, Arkan Ali, 37, and Hawkar Hassan, 32, were arrested after the Polish supermarket, Zabka, and a two-storey flat, were destroyed. A trial was set for November.

Woman arrested Police have today announced that another person was arrested in connection with the blast. A 32-year-old woman, from Leicester, was arrested on the morning of Friday, August 31, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson. She was released under investigation later the same day.

Trial begins A trial gets underway in November at Leicester Crown Court. All three deny the charges against them.