Police identify three victims of explosion at illegal distillery

Police have identified three of the five men killed in an explosion at an illegal distillery in Boston as being originally from Lithuania. Lincolnshire Police said they are still trying to determine who the other victims were, including a sixth man who was critically injured in the blast on Wednesday.

A spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that three of the fatal casualties are believed to be Lithuanian nationals and are aged 24, 26 and 32.

"Arrangements are being made to contact all next of kin and family members so that formal identification procedures can take place."

She said that inquiries were also being carried out to identify the other fatalities and the man being treated for severe burns at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Meanwhile, a police cordon around the blast site has been extended to include other parts of Boston's Broadfield Lane Industrial Estate and other business units are being examined.

Police said they had discovered evidence that suggested the unit was being used to make alcohol. Superintendent Keith Owen, of Lincolnshire Police, said: "We have found chemicals on the premises which tend to indicate either the manufacture or production of alcohol."