A warehouse which burned to the ground destroying priceless works of modern art was burgled shortly before the blaze broke out, British police said today.

Artist Tracey Emin today spoke of her hurt at the public “sniggering” over the loss of major works in a warehouse fire.

A fire that destroyed hundreds of artworks thought to be worth millions of euro has “devastated” artists and owners, experts said today.

Some of Britain’s leading modern artists were today waiting to learn if their works, thought to be worth millions of euro, have been destroyed in a warehouse fire.