Two mothers killed after explosion rips through taxi office

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The Christmas Eve blast, described as a "terrible accident" by firemen, also left the husband of one of the victims with serious burns.

Yesterday, the families of both women were comforting each other as they struggled to come to terms with the tragedy.

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Accident scene: The burnt-out taxi office could clearly be seen from the road as fire investigators and police forensic teams combed the area outside

Sue Barker, in her forties, and Ann Mawer, 52, were popular figures in Immingham, North-East Lincolnshire.

They were working their final shift before the Christmas break when the powerful explosion wrecked the premises.

Mrs Barker's 44-year-old husband Tony, who runs Fred's Taxis, is believed to have walked into the office carrying a petrol can which for some reason exploded at 8.20am.

Police said a 999 call was made from within the building but was suddenly "abandoned2.

Mr Barker is being treated for burns down one side of his body. He has been released from intensive care and is said to be in a "comfortable" condition, but is expected to remain in hospital for some time.

His wife and colleague are thought to have been killed instantly in the blast.

The site of the fire at a taxi office where two people were killed

The tragedy is being treated as an accident and there are no suspicious circumstances.

Yesterday, close friends and relatives left floral tributes near the scene.

Mrs Barker was a mother of three and a grandmother.

Her elderly parents and children were too upset to comment but her teenage daughter Shaunie posted a message on a website to thank well-wishers who had paid their respects to her mother.

"I miss my mum loads and I just want to say thanks for writing a comment," she wrote.

Neighbour Hayley Dobbs, 39, said: "They were absolutely brilliant people to speak to.

"If you wanted anything doing they'd go to the ends of the earth to do it."

Mrs Mawer lived in the village of South Killingholme with her husband Barry. She was also a grandmother.

A neighbour said: "She was very popular and had lots of friends in the area. I just feel for her family."