4 dead, 4 in hospital after explosion in Leicester in England

Emergency personnel attend the scene of an explosion in Leicester, central England, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. Four people were hospitalized in critical condition following an explosion that left a building in Leicester in flames, local emergency agencies said. (Photo by AARON CHOWN / PA via AP)

LONDON — Four people died on Sunday in an explosion that collapsed a building in the English city of Leicester, according to police.

Officials said on Monday that four other people were hospitalized and more people might be missing. A search and rescue operation is continuing.

Supt. Shane O’Neill of the Leicestershire Police said the building where the incident happened consisted of a shop and a two-story apartment above it.

The building collapsed after the explosion and was engulfed in flames. Police declared a major incident and evacuated neighbors as a precaution.

The cause has not yet been established. Police say it does not appear to be related to terrorism.

Leicester is 180 kilometers (110 miles) north of London.