Factory plant in Leicestershire destroyed by fire

An investigation is under way into the cause of the fire

A factory building in Leicestershire has been destroyed by a fire.

Crews went to Fosse Ltd on Lutterworth Road, Whetstone Magna, at around 0418 BST on Friday. Around 60 firefighters tackled the blaze at its peak.

The single-storey building had been used as a storage and processing plant, the fire service said.

Smoke from the site could be seen from the M1 and several roads nearby had to be closed. Investigations are now under way into the cause.

Engines from across Leicestershire were deployed in fighting the fire.

At one point the A426 was closed due to smoke plumes, with fire officials warning drivers on the M1 between junctions 20 and 21 to keep their windows closed.

The aluminium content of the building also proved a worry for firefighters.

Mick Grewcock of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: "With the fire involving aluminium, there is the chance of a rapid collapse - that's what happened.

"We've been able to contain the fire though, to the one property, and put measures in place to prevent the heat spreading to other adjacent businesses."

A fire service spokeswoman said crews were still at the scene at around 1845 BST on Friday, dousing small pockets of fire.

Crews worked to stop the fire spreading to adjacent buildings.