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.