Police at the scene of an explosion at the Broadfield Lane industrial estate in Boston, Lincolnshire.

Investigators are today probing the scene of a devastating explosion that killed five men inside an industrial estate unit, in a bid to establish the cause of the blast.

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A sixth man was taken to hospital suffering from severe burns following the blast at the Broadfield Lane industrial estate in Boston, Lincolnshire, yesterday evening.

Teams of emergency workers were scrambled to the unit shortly before 7.30pm after several 999 calls from members of the public.

Steve Moore, area manager from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service, said a total of six fire engines were sent to the scene.

“When the first crews attended they were faced with a really serious fire and a casualty who was outside the building suffering from burns,” he said.

“Their initial reaction was to treat the casualty.

“The incoming crew then started to fight the fire, it was a really hot, intense fire.”

The officer said the fierce flames set alight a car outside the unit and also buckled its roller shutters, meaning crews were forced to use hydraulic equipment to cut their way into the block.

“At that point we received further information that there may be further casualties,” he added

Mr Moore said six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus searched the unit and found five further casualties.

He described the incident as one of the most serious he had ever seen in his 28-year career.

“As far as the crews I have spoken to, its the single greatest loss of life in fire in their experience,” he said.

A Lincolnshire Police spokeswoman last night confirmed that five men had been killed in the blast.

The sixth man was taken to Boston Pilgrim Hospital, suffering from serious injuries, before being transferred to the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, she added.

“Inquiries are ongoing and will be ongoing throughout the night to establish the cause of this explosion,” the spokeswoman said.

“The circumstances at the moment are still unclear, there will be a full forensic examination of the unit,” she added.

The spokeswoman said finger tip searches of the cordoned-off unit were being carried out to establish what products and items were inside.