A man has died and a woman is in a serious condition in hospital after a fire broke out at their home.

The blaze started shortly before 9am on Saturday at a block of flats in Victoria Street, Loughborough.

Firefighters called to the scene found the 39-year-old man unconscious inside the first-floor apartment and carried him outside.

He was given emergency first aid by a firefighter and police officer and treated by an ambulance crew at the scene, before being taken to hospital suffering from serious injuries.

He died on Saturday evening, police said.

A woman who managed to get out of the property was taken to hospital suffering from the effects of breathing in smoke. She is in a serious but stable condition.

It is understood the couple have two children who escaped the flat safely.

The fire service said the blaze was caused accidentally, by combustible materials being left too close to an electric heater.

Firefighters and police helped to evacuate the 14 flats in the three-storey block. Some residents had to leave their homes using a ladder because their exit to the communal stairs was barred by the fire.

District councillor for the area Marion Smith, who lives nearby, expressed her sympathy to the family of the deceased man.

She said: "It is terribly sad. He was only 39.

"My sympathies go out to the family and to the residents who have been badly shocked by what has happened.

"I want to praise the professionalism of the firefighters, police and ambulance service for what they did."

Resident John Robinson, 58, who lives in Victoria Street, said: "The first I knew anything was wrong was when I saw flames shooting two metres out from the first floor living room window, just before 9am.

"It was really raging and shooting up the front of the building and out the back.

"There were fire engines, police officers and an ambulance crew quickly on the scene. I saw the firefighters carry out one gentleman.

"They were trying to revive him and then they carried him to the ambulance.

"The woman was standing outside with a blanket over her and she was also covered in black, and was taken away in an ambulance as well."

Loughborough crew manager Graham Vaux rescued the man from the blazing flat, with firefighter Peter Hopkins.

Mr Vaux said: "The flat was well alight when we arrived.

"We had a message that somebody may have been in the building. We found the man and we carried him out.

"Our colleagues searched the rest of the flat while others warned neighbours."

Roads in the area were sealed off to enable the fire crews to fight the fire.

The blaze was contained to the flat.

The first floor living area was badly damaged by fire and the upstairs bedrooms were badly affected by smoke.

Coun Smith said some of the flats in the block were owned by Charnwood Borough Council, while others were privately owned.

A police spokesman said a file was being prepared for the coroner.

Leicester Tigers made "their own bit of history" after a pulsating 9-5 win over Toulouse yesterday.

The win booked a Heineken Cup quarter-final away to big-spending French side Toulon, in April.

Three penalties from the boot of Toby Flood were enough to see the home side through to the last eight and knock four-times winners Toulouse out of the competition.

It was a superb occasion at a sold-out Welford Road as snow fell throughout the game in sub-zero conditions.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill was full of praise for his charges.

"People speak about the time we beat them here in 1997. Hopefully in 15 years' time, people will be talking about today," said Cockerill.

"I have nothing but praise for the players and they deserve all of the credit. They have made their own little bit of history today.

"These occasions are great and they have not come to us much in the last few years.

"We have topped a really tough group and we have knocked Toulouse out of the competition.

"There is a lot to be said for our attitude of coming back having lost on the first game of the competition at their place.

"Those last two minutes, when it was a grandstand finish and we were defending for our lives to win the game, was what you dream of as a coach and player. It was horrendous to watch at the time though!

"The game was never going to be a spectacle in those conditions.

"They missed some kicks and we gave them a try, but our attitude was to keep working. We made some mistakes and so did they.

"The set-piece was always going to be massive. Once we got a nine-point lead, it was almost better to play without the ball than with it.

"We had a couple of opportunities when we could have scored. They had an off day with the boot and you could say we had a bit of luck.

"But I am delighted for the players. They deserve a lot of credit."

Tigers will travel to face moneybags Toulon on the weekend of April 5-7 in a quarter-final set-up that also includes Saracens and Harlequins.

"We would much rather be at home, but the toughness of our pool means that was not possible," said Cockerill.

"If you are going to win this competition, you are going to have to beat some good sides.

"We have done that today and we are going to have to do that again in the next round.

"Toulon are very strong. We will get through the Test matches that our guys have got to play and then we will re-group. In a one-off game against Toulon, there is no reason why we cannot win."

Cockerill confirmed that late withdrawal Manu Tuilagi was "only 90 per cent fit" before being pulled 20 minutes before the game and that Steve Mafi faced a "six to eight-week lay-off" after pulling his hamstring in the first half.

Chairman Peter Tom praised the efforts of ground staff for getting the game on in the first place after sub-zero temperatures all week.

"It has been terrible weather all week and people have put a lot of work in to get the game on. It was a tremendous effort," he said.

Drivers were facing icy conditions again this morning after snow continued to fall across Leicestershire for most of yesterday.

It came as forecasters warned more days of bitter weather lie ahead, with heavy snow expected to arrive on Thursday.

City and county gritting teams were out around the clock over the weekend.

In the city, more than 50 tonnes of grit are being used every day as the freezing temperatures continue. Teams were out yesterday gritting main and secondary roads, clearing city centre footways and gritting around schools and residential homes.

They also gritted around the Leicester Tigers stadium, where a full house watched the team beat Toulouse in a crucial Heineken Cup tie at Welford Road in blizzard conditions.

Head of highways Andy Thomas said yesterday: "The grit bins around the city are emptying as fast as we can fill them. We do ask that people use the grit on the pavements and to assist their neighbours and communities, and don't take it all for their own driveways."

Schools were expected to wait until this morning before announcing whether they would be closing for the day.

Mercury weatherman Dave Mutton said snow flurries are set to return tonight and tomorrow, with heavier snow expected to reach the county, having crossed from France, on Thursday.

"During the first part of this week, temperatures will struggle to go above 0C (32F) during the day and will be as low as –4C (25F) at night in both the city and county," said Dave.

"Major routes should remain clear, but ungritted roads in the back streets and in the villages could be a bit tricky."

The Met Office said average day time temperatures were likely to stay below freezing all week, with a wind chill factor making it feel as cold as –5C at night, and not much better during the day.

City mayor Peter Soulsby said: "We will continue to closely monitor the situation and ensure that council resources are used in the best way possible to keep the city moving."

Martin Fletcher, group manager of the city council's highway maintenance team, said: "We have enough grit in store to see us through two weeks of continuous snow, or 70 days of hard frost."

County Hall transport spokeswoman Lesley Pendleton said the county council's gritters were also out around the clock.

She said: "We will monitor the situation, including weather forecasts, closely over the next few days to ensure we are as prepared as we can be."

Flights at East Midlands Airport were not disrupted by the weather over the weekend, although people are being warned to check that everything is running smoothly before travelling.

Meanwhile, people across Leicestershire made the most of the snow over the weekend, taking to the countryside on skis, snowboards and sledges.

The weather proved a boon for shops which experienced a run on sledges, grit, shovels and brushes. People also were keen to do their bit for wildlife battling the weather by buying bird food.

The Glebe Garden Centre, in Countesthorpe, sold out of sledges even before yesterday's snowfall.

Owner Bernard Hanraads said: "We sold our entire stock of sledges by Saturday afternoon.

"We sold at least 100 and could have sold many more as people were ringing all Sunday asking if we had any left.

"We have also had people coming in buying bird food.

"They have also been asking for rock salt, shovels and brushes to clear paths and drives."

At Lutterworth country park, dozens of people of all ages enjoyed sliding down the slopes on their sledges.

Sarah Greaves, 44, was there with her daughters Maisie, 15, and Harriet, 10, and son Finley, four.

She said: "It's a very gentle hill in the park and a large number of us took the chance to have some fun."

Philippa Hill, 40, was there with son Jacob, six, and daughter Amelia, four.

She said: "A whole gang of us come here when it snows. There's a real community feeling, and it's great to behave like a child again!"

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson has revealed young striker Jeff Schlupp has been training with Manchester United.

The 20-year-old has spent the last week training with the Premier League leaders.

Pearson said it was "a good opportunity" for the Ghana international.

Pearson said if nothing materialised from Schlupp's stint at United, then he would consider letting Schlupp go out on loan.

"He is training with them at the moment," said Pearson.

"I have allowed him to go there for a week. It is a great opportunity for him. We have a good relationship with United and I am not going to stand in his way to go there for a week's training.

"If anything comes of it, we will wait and see. They have had a good look at him.."

Schlupp has made five starts this season but the majority of them have been at left-back as cover for Paul Konchesky.

But Schlupp, who is a graduate of City's academy system, is highly rated as a striker and made an impact at Brentford during a loan spell in 2011, scoring six times in 10 appearances.

The move is the latest example of City's burgeoning relationship with United, which has seen Michael Keane and Jesse Lingard arrive on loan.

Police have been given more time to question five men arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl.
They were granted an extension by magistrates yesterday evening giving them an extra 36 hours before they have to either charge the men or release them on bail.
The men, aged 20, 22, 25, 27 and 39 were arrested on Saturday morning.
A 15-year-old youth arrested at the same time has been released on bail pending further inquiries.The investigation was launched after the girl's family raised concerns about her welfare. Specialist officers have been working with the victim.

A woman has urged people to help police trace her stolen mobility scooter.

Lynn Stretton, who has severe arthritis and sciatica, said she depended on the scooter to visit her daughter and go shopping.

The metallic blue scooter was taken from outside the 52-year-old's home in Henry Street, Hinckley, last week.

She said: "I'm a bit lost without it. I'm hoping someone will tell the police who took it and I get it back soon.

"I've still got the key and the charger, so they must have picked it up and carried it away.

"Someone must have seen these people walking down the street carrying it. They must have thought that was odd."

Police said the theft occurred between 4pm on January 10 and 2.25pm the next day.

Pc Mike Smith, who is investigating, said: "The victim has been left extremely upset by the incident.

"She relies on her scooter and we need to reunite her with it.

"Did you witness the incident or did you see anyone acting suspiciously in the area during these times?"

Contact Pc Smith on 101.

Less than 24 hours after winning a historic third Masters title in front of a worldwide audience, Mark Selby was back on the match table – only this time it was in a 'converted barn' with zero spectators.

The 29-year-old 'Jester from Leicester' was thrust back into the hurly-burly of life on the professional snooker tour with the start of two days of qualifying matches in the Championship League, at Crondon Park Golf Club, Essex.

It was all far removed from Sunday night, when Selby beat Neil Robertson 10-6 at Alexandra Palace to join a list of greats, including Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Steve Davis and the late Paul Hunter, as three-time Masters winners.

It also put Selby on course for the 'triple crown' in the same season, the world No.1 having already won the UK Championship last month, with just the World Championship remaining to complete the set.

It has been a remarkable purple patch for Selby these last two months, starting with the UK crown, followed by the German Open title two weeks ago and now the Masters.

"It's been a great time and I'm over the moon with Sunday's win," he said.

"I played really well at the start of the final, I dominated proceedings and scored well whenever I got a chance.

"And it was lucky I did because, during the evening session, all those late finishes earlier in the week caught up with me and I felt absolutely knackered.

"If Neil had got to within one frame of me, I might not have had enough in me to see it through.

"But it's the Masters, it's a big final, you know what's at stake and you rely on adrenalin to keep you focused.

"It also crept into the back of my mind that I could be on the verge of joining those great names as three-time winners, and that helps drive you on because you don't know if you'll ever find yourself in that situation again."

Selby, who became the first player in 10 years to win back-to-back majors, was allowed only a couple of hours of celebration, knowing he had to be in Essex yesterday.

"It will be a bit of a comedown, the venue is like a converted barn and the only people there will be me, my opponent and the referee!" he said.

"But pulling out wasn't an option, even though I could have done. I don't want to be one of those players known for picking and choosing what events I go in for.

"I love playing snooker for a living and I'd prefer to keep it that way."

Selby will now go to the World Championship at Sheffield in April as one of the favourites for the title.

It is the one trophy he has yet to win, but he will be heading to the Crucible high on confidence.

"Anything can happen between then and now, but it's the pinnacle of our sport and I will be trying as hard as everyone else to win it," he said.

"Mark Williams was the last to do the triple crown in the same season, in 2003.

"It would be amazing if I could be the next."

The Foxes Trust are offering two City fans the chance to enter a penalty shoot-out competition at Huddersfield on Saturday.

The Huddersfield Town Supporters' Association have organised the shoot-out for FA Cup fourth round tie at John Smith's Stadium.

Entry is open to any City fan who has already purchased a ticket.

Email your name, address and telephone number along with the answer to the simple question to the address below by 11.59pm tonight. The two winners will be drawn at random.

A further two places on the team can be bid for via eBay with all proceeds going to the charities.

Question: Name any player who has played for both Huddersfield Town and Leicester City during their career.

matt.davis@foxestrust.com

Prop Martin Castrogiovanni's rumoured departure to Toulon is still far from a done deal, according to Leicester Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen.

The club have began talks with the French Top 14 side, who Tigers will now meet in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals after topping Pool Two with Sunday's thrilling 9-5 win over Toulouse.

But Cohen said no agreement was in place with Toulon and that the club would not even discuss the prospect of Castro ripping up his contract at Welford Road – which still has a year to run – until a satisfactory transfer fee had been paid.

"We have always said that there needs to be two elements in place for any transfer to go ahead," said Cohen.

"Firstly, we need a satisfactory transfer fee and, secondly, Martin Castrogiovanni needs to come to us and say that he wants to leave.

"We have had an initial and preliminary discussion with Toulon about a transfer fee and there is no agreement in place at this moment.

"We won't have a discussion with Martin Castrogiovanni about what he wants to do until an agreement is in place."

Leicester would also make sure they have pencilled in a suitable replacement for Castro before they allow him to leave.

And with world-class tight-head props in great demand around the world, that could prove to be another stumbling block towards any possible departure.

"If we fail to reach an agreement with Toulon, then Martin Castrogiovanni will see out his contract with us," added Cohen.

"That would be excellent news for us because he is an extremely talented player and an icon at this club."

Castro has played second fiddle to Dan Cole for the big matches this season.

But he is still held in high regard by the Tigers' faithful, who gave him the traditional warm welcome when he replaced Cole in the 64th minute against Toulouse.

Castro has made 138 appearances in his six-and-a-half years at the club.

Leicester City have explained why their big promotion clash at a snow-bound King Power Stadium had to go ahead.

Friday night's game against Middlesbrough went ahead, despite many thousands of supporters missing out because of the bad weather, traffic gridlock and no buses running.

From an expected crowd of around 20,000, only 8,585, City's lowest league attendance since 1991, were in the stadium.

Many fans, who had tickets for the game. were left angry at the decision.

In a statement from the club, City said it was "regrettable" so many fans could not make it.

They stressed it was the club's responsibility to do everything they could to get the game on and that a postponement could only have been decided by the match officials, the local safety advisory group or the police.

"The club understands the disappointment of these fans and would like to take the opportunity to clarify the procedures and regulations surrounding the fulfillment of games, so that all of our loyal supporters have a complete and accurate understanding of the obligations of all clubs when hosting a home fixture, and the circumstances of last Friday in particular," City said in the statement.

"In anticipation of adverse weather in the build-up to Friday night's game, the club took every possible precaution to ensure that the fixture went ahead, while liaising regularly with the Football League, the match officials, the relevant local authorities, Middlesbrough Football Club and supporters.

"Such advance planning – including the provision of additional personnel, resources and equipment throughout the day, coupled with the outstanding efforts of the club's grounds, stadium and safety staff, ensured that King Power Stadium was fully operational.

"As a consequence of the successful preparation, the match officials decided that the game should go ahead.

"While we appreciate that, very regrettably, the adverse weather made it difficult for a significant number of supporters to attend the game, only the match officials, the city's Safety Advisory Group or the police can initiate a postponement.

"Once both playing squads, the match officials and essential stadium staff had arrived and the requisite conditions had been deemed fit for play, there were no grounds on which the match officials or relevant agencies would take such action.

"The club would like to express its sincere appreciation to the fans that did make it to the game and contributed to an important result for the team."

The Football League has backed the decision.

A spokesman for the Football League said game should have gone ahead.

He added: "These were exceptional and challenging circumstances that were outside of Leicester City's control. We are satisfied that it was correct to play the match."

Spokesmen for the three City supporters groups said the club were not to blame as the they did not possess the power to postpone the game.

However, they said members were unhappy and Cliff Ginnetta, chairman of the Official Supporters' Club, called on Sky TV to reimburse the fans.

"There is no doubt in my mind that had the game not been on Sky it would not have gone ahead," he said.

Matt Davies, of the Foxes Trust, added: "It is a sad fact that television has a such a major influence over whether a game goes ahead or not."

Lance Tomlyn, spokesman for the Independent Supporters Association, said Friday night's gridlock was difficult to predict.

"I don't think anyone, including the police and health and safety committee, foresaw the gridlock," he said

"I think if they had then they might well have made a different decision."

Fans have expressed their frustration and anger at missing Leicester City's game with Middlesborough.

A little more than 8,500 made it to the King Power Stadium on Friday, despite more than 20,000 tickets being sold.

In a letter to the football club, One fan Edy O'Connor, of Leicester, expressed his dismay at the club's "irresponsible" decision.

"I was utterly dismayed at the club's decision to go ahead and play the game," he said.

"The pitch may well have been playable but the game was inaccessible for the majority of your supporters.

"Your actions showed a complete disregard for the safety of supporters like myself.

"Your decision to go ahead with the game will undoubtedly have put a great deal of additional pressure on the emergency services."

O'Connor has been a season ticket holder for 25 years and he said he hardly ever misses a game.

Trevor Houston, from Blaby, sent a letter to the Mercury describing his "disgust".

"It was absolutely apparent to everyone that the dangerous conditions during the day made it almost impossible for the vast majority of supporters to attend the match," he said.

"This was confirmed with a decision by both First and Arriva to stop bus services from 6pm.

"Unfortunately myself, and I suspect the majority of Leicester City supporters, are of the opinion that the club have a cynical opinion of the supporters and now consider money far more important than the band of loyal Leicester City supporters.

"I, for one, will not be renewing my season ticket, irrespective of Championship or Premier League football."

Many other City fans took to Twitter to express their anger.

Tom Clarke wrote: "The pitch is fine, but they should call it off due to the safety of the fans."

Elliot Watson believed the decision prioritised television viewers over the supporters.

"Disgrace how Leicester City fans can't get to the game but it goes ahead for all the armchair fans to watch on telly," he said.

Darren Oliver agreed. "This game should be off – it's too dangerous for fans to travel," he said.

The proud parents of Peter Shilton have told how they were moved to tears after discovering he had picked up a lifetime achievement award.

On Thursday, the former Leicester City and England goalkeeper was presented with the prize at the Leicester Mercury Sports Awards.

Accepting it, he paid tribute to his mum and dad, May and Leslie, and said he knew they would be incredibly moved when they found out about it.

Mr Shilton senior, who is 92, said: "When we read about the award, May and I did shed a tear or two. Peter has won so many trophies and awards, but to be recognised by his home-town newspaper was very special.

"And, of course, we had to read it in the Mercury."

The couple have been avid readers of the paper for 71 years.

During Peter's 30-year career, they would cut out his match reports, building up a huge file of memories.

Mr Shilton senior, who served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and then ran a number of businesses, follows the fortunes of City, the Tigers and Leicestershire County Cricket Club through the Mercury.

"I always go straight to the back pages first to see what's going on," he said.

"Tigers did well to beat Toulouse and I am sure City will do well in the promotion chase.

"I followed Peter's sporting exploits through the Mercury over the years and three things stand out.

"I remember reading about his save for England from Kenny Dalglish at Hampden Park.

"Also, about the save Peter made for Forest which clinched a 0-0 draw against Coventry City, which critics regarded as his greatest ever.

"A vicious close-range header from Mick Ferguson seemed destined for the net, with Peter slightly out of position, but he managed to get across the goal to palm it over." It was a save which helped the club win the First Division title.

Two performances for City against Liverpool in the FA Cup in 1969 were also special.

"We drew 0-0 at home and people thought it was a forgone conclusion what would happen in the replay," he said. "But Peter kept a clean sheet and we won 1-0."

Unfortunately, Leicester went on to lose the final 1-0.

Mrs Shilton, 91, said: "We started to read the Mercury just before we were married in 1942.

"I love to read all about the local news.

"We knew about the ceremony, but it was lovely to read about Peter winning the award.

"Peter has always been down to earth and loves his Leicester roots so I am sure it will be very special to him, too."

For more on the Leicester Mercury Sports Awards, see our supplement in today's paper.

A 72-year-old man flouted a court order by spending 90 minutes in ladies' toilets in a shopping centre.

Alan Goode, who has previous convictions for voyeurism in women's lavatories, was jailed for a total of nine months.

During a hearing at Leicester Crown Court yesterday, he pleased guilty to breaching a sex offences prevention order banning him from going into females' public conveniences or loitering near them.

Gary Short, prosecuting, said on November 16, cleaners in the John Lewis women's toilets, in Leicester's Highcross shopping centre, became aware someone had been in a cubicle for about an hour and called security.

Goode initially lied, saying he suffered from irritable bowel syndrome and had dashed into the ladies in an emergency – despite the gents being directly opposite.

CCTV footage covering the toilets entrance showed he was in there for 90 minutes.

The court was told in 2009, Goode was caught in the ladies lavatories in Waitrose, Blaby.

He had been lying in a cubicle watching women use the toilet.

He was prosecuted for voyeurism and given a community order, as well as being placed on a five-year sex offences prevention order, forbidding loitering in or near women's lavatories.

In 2010 and 2011, he was prosecuted for similar misconduct in the ladies' toilets at two city centre bars, for which he was given a six-month suspended jail sentence and then a 24-week suspended jail sentence.

Recorder Lance Ashworth said Goode, of Welford Road, Wigston, failed to take chances given to him.

He said the defendant was not charged with voyeurism in John Lewis, only for breaching the order, as no one had made a complaint.

Andrew Bolc, mitigating, said: "He's lived alone for 18 years, following the breakdown of his last relationship.

"He has no children and no surviving family members and is isolated.

"He's interested in music and poetry but they haven't filled the void of his loneliness, which has led to impulsive acts of voyeurism.

"No complainant has come forward to say anyone was disturbed by the defendant."

He said Goode had rekindled his religious faith and had "expressed disgust at his own behaviour".