By Tyler Arthur 

LATEST: Police have confirmed that five people were killed by the explosion, as well as the four injured who were taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary in critical condition.

The police have now arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter, in connection with the terrible incident which occurred on Sunday evening. [Wednesday Update]

The original story follows

A large fire erupted in a shop in Hinckley Road after a huge explosion shook several buildings, near the Post Office, at approximately 7pm.

Four people have been taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary after the blast. A spokesperson for East Midlands Ambulance Service said that they are in a critical condition.

The blaze has since been put under control, however for hours afterwards there was still masses of smoke billowing out of the devastated building, just off of the A47.

Smoke fills the air, hours after the blast.

Debris from the building was thrown across the street, and the building was practically reduced to rubble.

The police cordoned off the area surrounding the location of the explosion, to prevent traffic moving towards the incident, and, along with the fire service put in place a large-scale response.

Police at the scene said that they could not comment on what exactly happened, and that their only priority was making sure everyone was safe.

A small crowd formed at the scene, but they were made to stand safely behind a police cordon.

Videos above and below, captured at the scene, show the smoke constantly being produced from the destroyed building, in Hinckley Road.