Demolition contractors stabilise gas explosion at Krishna temple
Demolition contractors were called in for emergency stabilising and clearance works on a Leicester Hare Krishna temple over the weekend, after it was partially destroyed in a gas explosion.
The Thoresby Street temple had been evacuated just in the nick of time on Friday afternoon, before an explosion ripped out doors and windows throughout and reduced part of the outer section of the building to rubble.
Around 30 people had been in the building prior to the blast, and were only saved after one worshipper noticed a leaking valve on a gas cylinder that had been used for cooking. He managed to alert people to it and get them all out with just minutes to spare.
The demolition teams were working on the outer structure of the temple, as well as the garage of an adjoining house, which was also completely destroyed.
One female devotee from the centre said they felt tremendous gratitude to the member who noticed the leak, but sadness at the destruction of their temple.
"I think now we're realising that actually we're all right, we know we're OK," she said. "But sadness is kicking in, this is our home – it's more important to us than where we sleep and cook or whatever. This is Krishna's home."
