A firefighter has died and three others are missing in a warehouse blaze which "could be the worst night for the fire service in decades".

The fire broke out at a vegetable packing warehouse on an industrial estate in Atherstone On Stour, Warwickshire.

Warwickshire Police confirmed it was treating the blaze as suspicious.

One firefighter was taken to hospital with critical injuries but later died, while up to three others were thought to be missing.

Fire crews from Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire and the West Midlands were tackling the blaze. Medical staff and an air ambulance were also on standby, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.

A spokesman explained: "This is a very large and complex incident. We have five ambulances, four doctors, two emergency care practitioners and five officers at the scene.

"We have also tasked the Warwickshire and Northants Air Ambulance to fly to the area so that it is on standby should any casualties suffer serious burns and require immediate transfer to the regional burns unit at Selly Oak Hospital.

"We are working with colleagues from both the fire and police services.

"The fire is extremely intense with large quantities of smoke. The level of smoke has caused problems for all of the emergency services."

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, added: "We are deeply concerned by the news emerging from Warwickshire. This could be the worst night for the fire service in decades."

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