Blast in UK shop that killed family caused by petrol
What's the story
An explosion in a Polish shop in Leicester that killed five people, including members of an Indian-origin family, was caused by petrol which was spread throughout the premises, a UK court was told on Monday.
Zabka mini-supermarket and a flat above were completely destroyed in the blast on 25 February, killing three members of Ragoobeer family who had moved to the UK from Mauritius.
Charges
Three men charged with arson and manslaughter
Three men, including the store's owner charged with arson and manslaughter, appeared before the Leicester Magistrates' Court and were remanded in custody to appear before the Leicester Crown Court on 3 April.
"It has been established that the explosion was caused by petrol and the petrol was spread throughout the shop," prosecuting solicitor Zoe Lee told the court.
Information
All three men charged with arson, manslaughter
The store's owner 33-year-old Aram Kurd is charged along with 32-year-old Hawkar Hassan, and 37-year-old Arkan Ali. The three men each face five counts of manslaughter and one count of arson with intent or being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
The dead
Indian-origin Ragoobeer family lived in the flat above the shop
The police had identified brothers Shane Ragoobeer, 18, and Sean Ragoobeer, 17 as the victims of the blaze.
They lived in the flat above the shop.
Their mother, Mary Ragoobeer, is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be the unidentified body.
The court heard that Ali's partner was shop worker Viktorija Ijevleva, who died in the explosion, besides Shane's girlfriend.
Investigation
What did the Leicestershire Police detectives say?
Detective Inspector Michelle Keen said, "It's vital that we speak to anyone who may have information about any people they saw coming and going into the supermarket in Hinckley Road in the hours leading up to the explosion."
He added, "People lost their lives in the most horrific way on Sunday. We owe it to them to understand the cause of that explosion."
Witness
Detectives investigating explosion made a fresh witness appeal
Detectives investigating the explosion on Hinckley Road have made a fresh witness appeal for anyone who may have been near the mini supermarket on that day.
The force said that the scene of the fire will remain cordoned off as specialist officers and experts from other agencies continue their work to sift through and examine the rubble in the search for clues.