Women die in cab office blast

Two women have died after an explosion ripped apart the taxi office where they worked.

Sue Barker and Ann Mawer were killed in the blast in Immingham, Lincolnshire.

Mrs Barker's husband Tony was seriously injured and the building that housed his firm Fred's Taxis was destroyed in the ensuing blaze.

Firefighters investigating the explosion said they believe it was a "terrible accident".

Local people said Mr Barker, who has run the business for many years, may have entered the small office with a petrol can which exploded.

A police spokeswoman said officers received an emergency call from someone inside the business but the call was cut off.

Police tried to call back and rushed to the address after getting reports of a fire.

Humberside Fire Service spokesman Glenn Ramsden said Mr Barker was discovered alive and taken to Grimsby Hospital with serious burns down one side of his body.

Mr Ramsden added: "We have no reason to suspect foul play and we think it is just a terrible accident which may have involved petrol."

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