While much of one Abbey Produce warehouse was destroyed by the fire, which started on Monday morning, a neighbouring building – only a few metres away – suffered only superficial scorching on the exterior.

The second building contained clothes and latex gloves, and fire crews said that if it had caught fire it would have been even more difficult to extinguish.

Today, station manager for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Martin Boome said the rapid response from the firefighters had saved the building.

He said: "When we arrived on the site they just concentrated on getting the water to that building.

"We used thermal imaging cameras to make sure we were safe, and knew where to get the water to.

"The building only suffered a few burns on the outside, and a small amount of flooding on the inside."

Yesterday, crews used two cranes to remove some of the debris which was blocking their paths in the warehouse, so they could reach parts of the building that were still smouldering.

The firefighters were today continuing the task of damping down the remaining hotspots.

The gas cylinders, which contained liquid petroleum gas used to refuel forklift trucks at the warehouse, and had been causing concerns in case they exploded, have also been removed from the warehouse.

Crews from Stanground in Peterborough, Ramsey and even St Ives were working at the site throughout the night, using a high-volume pump to tackle the few remaining flames and hot surfaces.

Mr Boome said firefighters had also cordoned off part of the wreckage where they believed the fire may have started.

Investigations are not set to start until Monday at the earliest, when fire investigators and police will hold a meeting.

There was also good news for commuters, after both the A605 and the railway, which have been closed since 7.30am on Monday, reopened.

A spokesman for Network rail said: "We were able to re-open the line at 2.24pm yesterday, after being given the all-clear to carry out track inspections. The track was not damaged at all in the fire, and services are running on time."

The road was reopened at 4pm yesterday, but is expected to be closed again between 2pm and 3pm today to allow the fire service to collect equipment and hoses laid along the road.

Special Report: Whittlesey factory fire, February 2008