A barn owned by the Queen's estate has been destroyed by a fierce fire.

Eastern Daily Press: Fire has destroyed a large barn off the A17 at Wingland, near Sutton Bridge. Picture: Chris BishopFire has destroyed a large barn off the A17 at Wingland, near Sutton Bridge. Picture: Chris Bishop (Image: Archant)

Flames tore through the barn on King John Bank at Walpole St Andrew, on the Norfolk - Lincolnshire border, last night.

The Crown Estate, which manages the monarch's property portfolio, later confirmed it owned the structure, which stands on thousands of hectares of reclaimed land it also owns next to The Wash.

Eastern Daily Press: Fire has destroyed a large barn off the A17 at Wingland, near Sutton Bridge. Picture: Chris BishopFire has destroyed a large barn off the A17 at Wingland, near Sutton Bridge. Picture: Chris Bishop (Image: Archant)

Fire broke out in the corrugated iron-clad barn on the Lincolnshire and Norfolk border at around 11.30pm.

Appliances from King's Lynn, Terrington, West Walton and Long Sutton together with the water carrier from Fakenham and control unit from Wymondham were sent to the scene. Firefighters were still damping down until 1.30pm today.

Eastern Daily Press: Fire has destroyed a large barn off the A17 at Wingland, near Sutton Bridge. Picture: Chris BishopFire has destroyed a large barn off the A17 at Wingland, near Sutton Bridge. Picture: Chris Bishop (Image: Archant)

One man living nearby said: 'I heard crackling around 11 at night and thought it was fireworks, but the wife said: 'The barn's on fire.'

A spokesman for The Crown Estate said: 'We are aware of a fire affecting a farm building at King John Bank and are now working with local emergency services to support their response.'

Eastern Daily Press: Fire has destroyed a large barn off the A17 at Wingland, near Sutton Bridge. Picture: Chris BishopFire has destroyed a large barn off the A17 at Wingland, near Sutton Bridge. Picture: Chris Bishop (Image: Archant)

Earlier this year, it emerged the estate made profits of £328.8m in 2016/17, which were handed to the Treasury. The Queen receives around a quarter via her Sovereign Grant, to pay for royal household salaries, official travel and the upkeep of palaces.

In its annual report, the estate says it delivers 'strong returns for the nation's finances'.

Eastern Daily Press: Fire has destroyed a large barn off the A17 at Wingland, near Sutton Bridge. Picture: Chris BishopFire has destroyed a large barn off the A17 at Wingland, near Sutton Bridge. Picture: Chris Bishop (Image: Archant)

As well as thousands of hectares of farmland, it includes much of London's Regent Street and West End, along with retail developments including the White Lodge Business Estate, in Norwich. It does not include Sandringham, which is privately-owned by the Queen.