Leicester explosion latest: Petrol used in fire that killed five people, court told

Arkan Ali, Hawkar Hassan and Aram Kurd stare straight ahead during the hearing

The scene in Hinckley Road, Leicester, following the explosion which killed five people (PA)

Three men have appeared in court charged with the manslaughter of five people after allegedly starting a fire at a shop in Leicester using petrol.

Arkan Ali, 37, Hawkar Hassan, 32, and Aram Kurd, 33, were arrested after an explosion destroyed a Polish supermarket and two-storey flat on 25 February.

Appearing at Leicester Magistrates' Court, they did not have to enter pleas. They also face a separate charge of arson with intent to endanger life.

During a 30-minute hearing, Ali, from Oldham, Hassan, of no fixed abode and Kurd, from Leicester, spoke only to confirm their name, age and address.

Assisted by a Kurdish interpreter, Ali and Hassan dressed in grey sweatshirts and Kurd in a black hooded top, stared straight ahead throughout the hearing.

They were remanded into custody until a further hearing on 3 April, which will take place at the city's crown court.

The explosion on 25 February which completely destroyed the building, led to the deaths of Shane Rajoobeer, 18, and Sean Rajoobeer, 17, as well as a 46-year-old woman who is believed to be their mother Mary, but has not been formally identified.

Also killed in the blast, was 18-year-old Leah Beth Reek, who was Shane's girlfriend, and Viktorija Ljevleva, 22.

Another man in his 40s from East Anglia was arrested on Sunday also on suspicion of manslaughter, in connection with the case.

Two more men, also from East Anglia, were arrested in connection with the blast but have since been released under investigation.

Additional reporting by Press Association.