Around 100 firefighters tackle major blaze in southeast London

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the blaze on Landmann Way, in Deptford, involves about 50 tonnes of household waste stored at a waste facility

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Aerial views of about 100 firefighters tackling blaze in southeast London

Around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines are battling a waste fire in southeast London.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the blaze on Landmann Way, in Deptford, involves about 50 tonnes of household waste stored at a waste facility.

The brigade was alerted shortly before 8pm, with crews responding from Deptford, East Greenwich, Old Kent Road and neighbouring fire stations.

Smoke and flames from the blaze in Deptford, as seen from Millwall (PA)

A video posted online shows significant flames and thick smoke rising into the air above surrounding buildings.

It is understood firefighters tackled a blaze at the same facility in June when a van and a car were destroyed and one man was treated on scene by London Ambulance Service.

Station commander Duncan Rees said: “Approximately 100 firefighters are tackling a large fire at a recycling centre on an industrial estate on the border of Bermondsey and North Lewisham.

“First calls were received at 1958 and 15 fire appliances are now in attendance.

“Fire crews along with colleagues from partner blue light services are working hard in difficult conditions to bring the fire under control.

“One of the brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders and one 64-metre turntable ladder are being used as water towers to tackle the flames from above.”

People in the area have been advised to keep their windows and doors firmly shut where possible due to the heavy volume of smoke.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Rail services into London Bridge from New Cross are affected because the fire has blocked railway lines, National Rail said.

A statement on the National Rail website said: “A fire on a property between London Bridge / Canada Water and New Cross / New Cross Gate means all lines are blocked.

“As a result, trains between these stations may be cancelled, severely delayed by up to 100 minutes or revised.”

Major disruption is expected until the end of the day.

It comes after around 150 people were evacuated after a fire broke out at a 13-storey hotel in Wembley on last Friday.

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters rushed to the Holiday Inn in Empire Way just after 12.30pm as London’s emergency services operate under severe pressure during the UK’s fifth heatwave this year.