Police name men killed in explosion at suspected illegal distillery

Five men killed in an explosion at an industrial unit which may have been used as an illegal distillery have been named by police.

Officers said Vaidas Krupenkinas, 39, Ovidijus Mejeris, 26, Laimutis Simkus, 32, Ricardas Gecas, 24, and Erlandas Duzinskas, 18, were all Lithuanian nationals who were living in the Peterborough area.

The name of a sixth victim who was critically injured in the blast in Boston, Lincolnshire, on Wednesday night was not disclosed.He underwent surgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, following the explosion and is understood to have suffered 75 per cent burns.

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Detective Superintendent Guy Collings, of Lincolnshire Police, who is in charge of the investigation, said: “We would like to thank the Lithuanian Embassy, whose valuable assistance has enabled us to quickly identify the fatal casualties and notify their next of kin.

“All the families have now been informed and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this tragic time.

“The investigation continues and we renew our appeal to anyone with information to come forward and talk to us.”

A police cordon placed around the unit was extended to include other parts of Boston’s Broadfield Lane industrial estate on Thursday while further business units were examined as part of the ongoing investigation. Investigators revealed they had discovered evidence which suggested the unit was being used as an illegal distillery when the explosion took place.

Superintendent Keith Owen, of Lincolnshire Police, 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.”

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