Around 100 firefighters were last night battling a major blaze at a recycling centre in south-east London.
Thick plumes of smoke could be seen billowing across the capital’s skyline after a huge inferno broke out at the building in Landmann Way, Bermondsey, at around 5.30pm on Monday.
Fifteen fire engines were scrambled to the scene, with firefighters working late into the night to put the blaze out.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage – and remains under investigation.
Dramatic footage showed bright orange flames bursting from the recycling centre and thick acrid smoke rising high above London’s skyscrapers and drifting across the capital.
Firefighters from Deptford, Old Kent Road, Greenwich and surrounding stations were mobilised to tackle the blaze, which broke out at a recycling centre close to a major railway line.
Surrounded by mountains of rubbish, they could be seen using hoses to spray water onto the inferno.
Specialist equipment was deployed to help bring the blaze under control, including two of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders, allowing firefighters to attack the fire from above.
In an updated statement late on Monday, the London Fire Brigade confirmed that the fire was under control by 11.57pm.
Specialist equipment has been deployed to help bring the blaze under control, including two of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders
Aerial images show a huge fire which has broken out at a recycling centre in south-east London, with smoke billowing across the skyline
Dramatic footage shared on social media showed huge plumes of smoke rising high above the area as crews raced to the scene
Firefighters can be seen tackling the blaze at the recycling centre
The fire service urged members of the public to stay away from the area while emergency services deal with the incident.
A spokesperson said: ‘Please avoid the area while the incident is ongoing’.
The fire service also issued advice to residents living nearby because of the large amount of smoke being produced by the blaze.
It added: ‘Due to the significant amount of smoke in the area, local residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed.’
No injuries have been reported at this stage.
Station Commander Wayne Bloomfield, who attended the scene, said: ‘Firefighters have been working hard to extinguish a fire at a recycling centre.
‘At the height of the fire, a large amount of refuse and a warehouse unit were alight. There are currently no reports of any injuries.
Fifteen fire engines were dispatched to the fire on Landmann Way in Bermondsey, close to a major railway line, after emergency services were alerted shortly after 5.30pm
The London Fire Brigade confirmed that approximately 100 firefighters were tackling the fire, which broke out at a recycling facility
Emergency crews remain at the scene and the cause of the fire has not yet been established
Firefighters use an aerial ladder platform at a fire at the Landmann Way Reuse and Recycling Centre in Bermondsey, south London
Station Commander Wayne Bloomfield, who is attending the scene, said: ‘Firefighters are working hard to extinguish a large amount of refuse at a recycling centre’
‘Due to the significant amount of smoke in the area, local residents were advised to keep their windows and doors closed.
‘Loose embers were also reported, which is normal during large fires.
‘Residents were advised to pour water onto them if they were concerned about loose embers on or near their properties, but if they did catch something alight, to call 999 immediately.
‘This is a protracted incident and crews will remain on scene into the morning to fully extinguish the fire.’
