ST ANNE’s, Letchworth Road, in Leicester, has been serving as a rest centre for residents affected by an explosion in the city on Sunday.

Five people died after the explosion and subsequent fire at a shop on Hinckley Road, in west Leicester, on Sunday evening. Leicestershire Police confirmed on Monday that five people had died and five more remained in hospital, one in a critical condition. The cause of the explosion was not yet known, but there was no link to terrorism, police said.

The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow, said on Monday: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the fatalities in last night’s major incident in Leicester. I will be joining many others in praying today for the families and friends of those injured and killed, together with the local community in this part of Leicester.

“I am very grateful to the emergency services and all those involved in helping. I know that the people of Leicester will work together in response to this tragic event.”

On Monday evening, the Labour MP for Leicester West, Liz Kendall, posted on Twitter that the council had set up a “rest centre” at St Anne’s, where local residents could find help “with accommodation, food & drink, clothes & counselling”.

A Hillsong Network church, Junction Church, in Leicester, is accepting donations to help people who have been affected by the incident.

Superintendent Shane O’Neill of Leicestershire Police said on Monday: “The building consisted of a shop premises on the ground level and a two-storey flat above it. We believe there may be people who have not yet been accounted for and rescue efforts continue in order to locate any further casualties.”

On Wednesday evening three men in their 30s were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over the explosion.