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Fire engulfs Bermondsey waste centre

James W KellyLondon
News imageRachael Jardine Bright orange flames and thick black smoke engulf a structure behind a metal fence and a telecommunications tower, next to a large yellow and black industrial building under a hazy dusk sky.Rachael Jardine
The fire at a waste facility in Landmann Way started shortly before 20:00 BST

About 100 firefighters are tackling a massive blaze at a waste facility in south-east London.

Fifteen fire engines were called to Landmann Way in Bermondsey shortly before 20:00 BST after about 50 tonnes of household waste caught fire.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) warned that a large amount of smoke was being produced by the blaze and advised local residents to keep their doors and windows closed.

LFB said the cause of the fire was not yet known, but firefighters tackled a blaze at the same facility in June.

Speaking from the scene, station commander Duncan Rees said: "Crews are working hard in difficult conditions to bring the fire under control."

He added that a 32m ladder and a 64m ladder were being used to tackle the flames from above.

News imageRachael Jardine A crowd of bystanders gathers on a street to watch a large blaze sending bright orange flames and thick dark smoke into the sky behind a metal security fence, beside a yellow industrial building and brick railway arches.Rachael Jardine

Crews from East Greenwich, Old Kent Road, Deptford and surrounding fire stations were dispatched to the scene.

The LFB said it was likely to be a "protracted incident" and crews would work overnight to bring the fire under control.

Rachael Jardine, a freelance journalist based in New Cross, told BBC London that trains on a nearby Overground track were continuing to pass despite the "thick black smoke".

News imageSamuel Owers An elevated night view shows a distant fire glowing bright orange with dark plume of smoke rising over industrial buildings and urban skyline.Samuel Owers
Nearby residents have been warned to keep windows closed

A local resident said he first spotted the blaze while cycling home.

"I was coming back from Tescos and I could see the smoke from the road," he said.

"We cycled back to mine and realised it was just across the road... it's pretty mental."

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