A plume of thick black smoke could be seen billowing across Wisbech for several miles as eight fire engines were deployed to B H Porter and Sons Ltd, in Oldfield Lane, in the town, where more than 80 crushed cars were on fire.

Explosions could be heard as employees at the yard and about 10 members of staff from neighbouring Travis Perkins were evacuated.

The blaze started at about 12.30pm yesterday, affecting a large area of about 20m by 30m.

Firefighters from Wisbech, March, Long Sutton and Thorney, near Peterborough, prevened the fire from spreading.

Residents were asked to stay out of the smoke if possible and anyone living close by was advised to shut their doors and windows.

Oldfield Lane and Weasenham Lane were closed both ways by police at the B198 Cromwell Road.

Ambulance personnel were on standby at the scene keeping an eye on the smoke to make sure it didn't become a health hazard.

Firefighters also worked with the Environment Agency to minimise the danger of pollution.

By 3.45pm the fire was under control but firefighters used machinery on site to remove the vehicles one by one and dampen each one down.

They remained at the scene for a further few hours and returned at intervals for reinspections.

Risk manager for Peterborough, Mark Bennett-Tighe said: "Firstly we had to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings, which we did, but there was some residual heat.

"Because the fire was burning deep inside the vehicles, we then had to remove them individually to make sure the fire was out.

"The owner of the scrapyard said the metal was still salvageable. We don't know what caused the fire. An investigation will now take place."