Around 100 firefighters battle huge blaze at recycling centre as thick plumes of smoke

Around 100 firefighters are 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 fire chiefs admitting crews will be working into the early hours of the morning to put the blaze out. 

Dramatic footage shows 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 has been 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.

National Rail has warned that rail services are currently disrupted. Services running to, from and through London Bridge have been cancelled, diverted or revised, with rail operators saying disruption is expected until at least 8.45pm. 

A Thameslink spokesperson said: ‘Due to a fire on the property near the railway between London Bridge and Dartford. All lines are blocked between these stations.’

Specialist equipment has been deployed to help bring the blaze under control, including two of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders

Dramatic footage shared on social media showed huge plumes of smoke rising high above the area as crews raced to the scene

Aerial images show a huge fire which has broken out at a recycling centre in south-east London, with smoke billowing across the skyline

Firefighters can be seen tackling the blaze at the recycling centre

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’

The Brigade 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.’

Emergency crews remain at the scene and the cause of the fire has not yet been established.

No injuries have been reported at this stage.

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 are advised to keep their windows and doors closed.

‘Loose embers have also been reported, which is normal during large fires. Residents are advised to pour water onto them if they are concerned about loose embers on or near their properties, but if they do catch something alight, don’t hesitate to call 999.

‘This is likely to be a protracted incident, with crews remaining on scene into the morning.’