Close X
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
ADVT 
International

Blast In UK Shop That Killed Indian-Origin Family Caused By Petrol

IANS, 06 Mar, 2018 12:48 PM
    An explosion in a Polish shop in Leicester that killed five people, including members of an Indian-origin family, was caused by petrol which was spread throughout the premises, a UK court was told on Monday.
     
     
    Zabka mini-supermarket and a flat above were completely destroyed in the blast on the evening of February 25, killing three members of the Ragoobeer family who had moved to the UK from Mauritius.
     
     
    Three men charged with arson and manslaughter appeared before Leicester Magistrate’s Court and were remanded in custody to appear before Leicester Crown Court on April 3.
     
     
    The store’s owner Aram Kurd, 33, is charged along with Hawkar Hassan, 32, and Arkan Ali, 37.
     
     
    “It has been established that the explosion was caused by petrol and the petrol was spread throughout the shop,” prosecuting solicitor Zoe Lee told the court.
     
     
    The three men each face five counts of manslaughter and one count of arson with intent or being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
     
     
    Last week, the police had formally identified brothers Shane Ragoobeer, 18, and Sean Ragoobeer, 17, as the victims of the blaze. They lived in the flat above the Polish shop. Their mother, 46-year-old Mary Ragoobeer, is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be the unidentified body.
     
     
    The court heard that Ali’s partner was 22-year-old shop worker Viktorija Ijevleva, who died in the explosion, besides Shane Ragoobeer’s girlfriend–18-year-old Leah Beth Reek.
     
     
    Leicestershire Police detectives investigating the explosion on Hinckley Road in the city arrested a man in his 40s on suspicion of manslaughter on Sunday. He is currently in police custody where he is being questioned.
     
     
    Two other men, both in their 30s, who were arrested on Friday, have been released.
     
     
    The police have also made a fresh witness appeal for anyone who may have been near the mini supermarket on February 25.
     
     
    “It’s vital that we speak to anyone who may have information about any people they saw coming and going into the supermarket in Hinckley Road in the hours leading up to the explosion…People lost their lives in the most horrific way on Sunday. We owe it to them to understand the cause of that explosion,” said Detective Inspector Michelle Keen.
     
     
    The force said the scene of the fire would remain cordoned off as specialist officers and experts from other agencies continued their work to sift through and examine the rubble in the search for clues.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Sikh-American Float To Feature 'Langar' In California’s Rose Parade

    A float depicting Sikh tradition of ‘langar sewa’ (community kitchen) will be a part of the upcoming Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in South California.

    Sikh-American Float To Feature 'Langar' In California’s Rose Parade

    Trapped, Tortured In Saudi, Ludhiana Woman Kuldeep Kaur Seeks Sushma Swaraj's Help

    Trapped, Tortured In Saudi, Ludhiana Woman Kuldeep Kaur Seeks Sushma Swaraj's Help
    Her employers, a Saudi couple, trapped her in Dubai since the past six months. They are ill treating her. I request External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to bring her back to India

    Trapped, Tortured In Saudi, Ludhiana Woman Kuldeep Kaur Seeks Sushma Swaraj's Help

    Indian-Origin Student Arshad Vhora, 19, Shot Dead In US, Relative Injured

    Indian-Origin Student Arshad Vhora, 19, Shot Dead In US, Relative Injured
    An Indian-origin college student was shot dead during a robbery attempt at a gas station in the US on Thursday and his relative critically injured, media reports said.

    Indian-Origin Student Arshad Vhora, 19, Shot Dead In US, Relative Injured

    On Hearing Of Mother's Death, Indian-Origin Man Dies Of Shock In Dubai

      An Indian expat died of a heart attack here after hearing the news of his mother's demise back home, the media reported.

    On Hearing Of Mother's Death, Indian-Origin Man Dies Of Shock In Dubai

    Bench Dedication Ceremony Planned For Indian Girl Sherin Mathews In US

    Bench Dedication Ceremony Planned For Indian Girl Sherin Mathews In US

    Bench Dedication Ceremony Planned For Indian Girl Sherin Mathews In US

    Leading Indian Councillor Ranjit Dheer Honoured By Queen Elizabeth II In United Kingdom

    Leading Indian Councillor Ranjit Dheer Honoured By Queen Elizabeth II In United Kingdom
    Ranjit Dheer, a leading Indian-origin magistrate councillor, has been honoured by Queen Elizabeth II with a prestigious award for his services to the UK government.

    Leading Indian Councillor Ranjit Dheer Honoured By Queen Elizabeth II In United Kingdom