Police attempt to identify blast dead

Police in Britain are working to identify five men killed in an explosion inside an industrial unit which has been linked to the production of illegal alcohol.

The victims, believed to be eastern European, died after the blast in Boston, Lincolnshire, on Wednesday night, while a sixth suffered 75% burns.

Investigators yesterday revealed they had discovered evidence that suggested the small industrial unit was being used as an illegal distillery when the explosion took place.

Lincolnshire Police Superintendent Keith Owen said: “What I can confirm is that we have found chemicals on the premises which tend to indicate either the manufacture or production of alcohol.”

Police are awaiting the results of post mortem examinations which were carried out on the bodies of the dead men yesterday and are still trying to identify them.

The have also been unable to interview or identify the injured man, who underwent surgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, yesterday.

Officers have urged anyone with any information or who may have missing relatives to contact them.