Investigations into fire at Leicester temple

The blaze at the temple at Thoresby Street in the city’s Evington area broke out at 2.40pm.

Up to 30 worshippers were believed to be inside the building when the fire broke out, but were evacuated by the emergency services.

“We believe that everyone is accounted for and that there are no serious injuries,” a Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson told Channel 4 News.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known. A third of the building is believed to have been destroyed in the fire, which one eyewitness said had been caused by an explosion.

Firefighters were using thermal imaging cameras to look for worshippers inside the building, which was believed to be unstable.

Dillon Kidger, who works for a roofing company in the same road as the temple described how he rushed outside after hearing a large explosion.

“It was actually that loud that the building shook. I heard banging noises and people screaming, there was a big fire and the building was gone in about five to 10 minutes,” he said.

“I saw a few people praying outside and people walking round with cuts to their hands and faces from the shrapnel.

“I don’t think there was anybody trapped inside from what I could tell.”