About 100 firefighters are tackling a major fire at a recycling and waste site on Landmann Way, on the border of Bermondsey and Deptford, after roughly 50 tonnes of household rubbish ignited on Tuesday evening.
Large-scale response as flames send smoke across south-east London
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the first call came in shortly before 20:00 BST and that 15 fire engines and crews from stations including East Greenwich, Old Kent Road and Deptford were sent to the scene. A 32-metre and a 64-metre turntable ladder were in use to deliver water from above as firefighters sought to contain the blaze.
Station commander Duncan Rees, speaking from the scene, said crews were working in challenging conditions and expected the incident to be protracted, with staff likely to remain on site overnight to bring the fire under control.
“Crews are working hard in difficult conditions to bring the fire under control.”
Residents living near the industrial estate reported seeing thick black smoke and flames visible above surrounding buildings. In New Cross, commuters described trains running through a smoke-filled corridor.
“I was coming back from Tescos and I could see the smoke from the road… it's pretty mental.”
Local disruption and public health advice
Emergency services advised people in the vicinity to keep doors and windows closed because of the large volume of smoke. National Rail warned that services into London Bridge from New Cross were affected after the fire blocked railway lines, with some trains cancelled, significantly delayed or subject to revised timetables.
Video and images circulating on social media showed flames and a plume of smoke rising above the site. LFB said the cause of the fire was not yet known; firefighters previously attended a blaze at the same facility in June.
- Immediate safety: keep doors and windows closed and avoid the area if possible.
- Transport: expect cancellations and long delays on services into London Bridge from New Cross.
- Stay informed: follow LFB and National Rail updates for travel and safety information.
Who is responding and what happens next
The LFB has described the incident as likely to be protracted, with ground crews and specialist appliances working through the night. Alongside the turntable ladders, multiple fire appliances and crews from neighbouring stations were deployed to establish water supplies and contain the fire while protecting nearby properties and infrastructure.
| Resource | Detail |
|---|---|
| Firefighters | Approximately 100 |
| Fire engines | 15 |
| Location | Landmann Way, Bermondsey/Deptford border |
| Material burning | About 50 tonnes of household waste |
| Impact on transport | Rail services into London Bridge from New Cross affected |
Local residents told WE NEWS they were concerned about air quality and the potential for recurring incidents at the facility. One commuter said trains on a nearby Overground line were continuing to run while shrouded by thick smoke, adding to unease about exposure to fumes.
At this stage, there has been no official indication of injuries. The brigade said enquiries were under way to establish the cause and to assess environmental implications of smoke and run-off. Councillors and local environment officers are likely to be involved in follow-up work once the immediate hazard has been controlled.
Context and practical information
Fires at waste handling sites can be difficult to extinguish because of smouldering material and the volume of combustible items stored on-site. The LFB’s use of aerial ladders indicates crews are attacking the blaze both from the ground and above to prevent it spreading to neighbouring units and transport corridors.
Commuters planning travel through London Bridge or New Cross should check National Rail and TfL updates before departing. Residents concerned about smoke should follow guidance from the emergency services and contact 999 only for life‑threatening emergencies. Local environmental health teams will publish further advice if air quality is expected to be affected in the longer term.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor briefings from the London Fire Brigade, National Rail and local authorities and will publish updates as more information becomes available.
