---

A Hare Krishna temple in Leicester has been partly destroyed in an explosion.

A third of the terraced property on Thoresby Street has been destroyed and is too unstable for emergency services to enter.

There had been reports that worshippers were trapped inside the building, but Leicestershire Fire Service has confirmed everyone is accounted for.

It is thought that gas bottles being used for cooking during celebrations at the temple could have exploded.

A wide cordon is in place around the building, which is still on fire.

A local councillor told BBC Radio Leicester that the president of the temple had also confirmed that everyone who had been inside the temple was "safe and well".

'People screaming'

BBC reporter Jonathan Cecil said he had seen a couple of "walking wounded" outside the building.

Eyewitness Fatima Khatri said: "We were all working and we suddenly heard a big bang and for one split second we thought it was a bomb, so we all ran to the window.

"Suddenly we heard the other bang and we saw all these flames coming out and we just could not believe it because the whole street was shaken up.

"Everyone was really nervous because all we could see is the fire and people screaming and running around, all the children couldn't stop crying and it was a terrible devastating scene."

---