A Norfolk fire chief has expressed sympathy for a farmer who is set to lose millions of pounds after one his farm buildings went up in flames.

Eighty firefighters were sent to the large-scale blaze at a warehouse in Roudham Road near the Roudham Heath Industrial Estate at about 9.15am.

Nineteen fire engines, three of which are from Suffolk Fire Service, were sent to the Camp Farm site.

The structure of the warehouse, which is about 3,800 square metres, has remained largely intact after firefighters managed to ventilate most of the heat through roof lights.

The fire has now been brought under control.

The warehouse contained potatoes, grain and seed, all of which has been destroyed. A combine harvester has also gone up in flames but firefighters have managed to salvage a grain drier.

Roy Harold, Norfolk Fire Service's assistant chief officer, said: 'This is our day job and this is the bigger end of what we do but for the occupier, this is a disaster.'

Fire engines were sent from East Harling, Thetford, Attleborough, Diss, Hethersett, Watton, Hingham, Long Stratton, Wymondham, Earlham, Dereham and Harleston. Engines from Suffolk Fire Service have also been deployed from Brandon, Ixworth and Eye.

Firefirefighters, working under the instruction of Norfolk Fire Service's assistant chief officer Roy Harold, are using three main jets to tackle the blaze.

It is not yet known how the fire started.

Last month, as previously reported, Camp Farm won planning permission to use two agricultural buildings for commercial storage.

The decision to enable the use of two of the 15 buildings on the site for store shop fittings for a major retailer came despite the fears of two parish councils saying the site was being turned into 'an industrial estate by stealth'.