A mother and two of her sons are believed to be among the five people who died in an explosion in Leicester.

Mary Ragoobar, 46, and sons Shane, 18, and Sean, 17, lived in the flat above the shop in Hinckley Road which was destroyed in the blast on Sunday.

Police said they are missing, along with Shane's girlfriend Leah Beth Reek, 18, and Viktorija Ljevleva, 22, who was working in the shop at the time.

Human remains belonging to five people have been recovered from the wreckage.

Leicestershire Police said given the "devastation caused by the blast and fire", it may be some "considerable time" before the bodies can be formally identified.

A search and rescue operation to find survivors is continuing.

Another five people were taken to hospital, one of whom remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Police said "detailed work" is being carried out "as part of the rescue operation and in an attempt to understand what caused the explosion".

The building consisted of a shop premises on the ground level and a two-storey flat above.

The shop had gone through many owners but recently became a Polish supermarket called Zabka. It is believed to have only been trading since the new year.

A section of Hinckley Road is expected to remain closed throughout Tuesday.

On Monday, Supt Shane O'Neill said police believe there may be more people unaccounted for.

A spokeswoman for the force confirmed the search and rescue operation is ongoing, and a large excavator and several emergency services vehicles remained at the scene.

A public meeting held on Monday night was attended by residents and businesses.

Matt Cane, group manager for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, described the search and rescue operation as "dynamic and challenging".

"We have all been left shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible events of [Sunday] evening," he added.

Leicester City Council has asked for floral tributes to be left by the front steps of the Westcotes United Reform Church in Hinckley Road.