Chiapparini, 74, was buried when a shelf broke in his warehouse in the Lombardy region on Sunday, firefighter Antonion Dusi said.

Thousands of wheels, each weighing about 40kg (84lbs), came tumbling down as a result of the collapse.

Mr Dusi said it took 12 hours to find Mr Chiapparini’s body.

According to Italian media, some of the wheels fell about 10m (33ft) and the collapse sounded like thunder.

Economic damage has been estimated at €7 million (£6 million).

In an interview with the Italian media, a neighbour described Mr Chiapparini as “very supportive… and generous”. In addition, they said he had lost a child decades ago.

A warehouse in Romano di Lombardia, about 50km (30 miles) east of Milan, contained 25,000 wheels of Grana Padano, a cheese that resembles Parmesan and is popular in Italy.