Investigation experts say the blaze at West End Cold Stores, in Horseshoe Road, on Tuesday evening, was started by a ceased electric motor on a refrigeration condensing unit.

Smoke could be seen for miles around while emergency services spent several hours bringing the flames under control.

Fire crews from Spalding, Holbeach, Crowland and Donington in Lincolnshire and Yaxley and Dogsthorpe in Peterborough, were called to the fire.

Their combined efforts prevented the fire from spreading, and saved several pieces of expensive industrial and agricultural machinery from being damaged.

Meanwhile, initial concerns over environmental damage from the collapsed asbestos roof were alleviated by the East Midlands Health Protection Agency.

None of the asbestos was carried in the smoke to nearby properties and the only risk was to firefighters.

The blaze was brought under control shortly before 9pm, but one appliance remained in attendance until about 2pm yesterday to damp down the site.

The company employs 14 full-time staff and about 30 labourers, several of whom were in a nearby building when the fire started.