Fire crews from three counties helped prevent a blaze from destroying a large industrial unit in the Fens today.

A spokesman said the operation was now winding down at the scene of the blaze, which at its height sent a column of smoke more than 100m into the sky, which was visible from miles away.

Crews from Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Lincolnshire were called to Conveyor Express, in Friday Bridge, just after 7.30am.

They found the 80m factory unit, off the main March Road, was well alight. Gas cylinders were removed and made safe, while nine crews fought the flames using hosereel jets and a turntable ladder.

Station commander Chris Parker, from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'When crews arrived the building was well alight but thanks to some excellent firefighting by crews from three counties the fire has been confined to around a quarter of the building.'

Police closed the busy B1101 road from Coldham to Elm between the Jew House Drove and Redmoor Bank junctions as firefighters tackled the blaze.

A water carrier and fire incident command vehicle were also in attendance. No-one was believed to have been hurt in the incident.

The road is expected to reopen shortly and a fire investigation is set to take place later today. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.