The facility was confirmed to be on Landmann Way in Deptford, south east London, and the fire is reported to have “severely damaged” its structure.
The site is listed as being home to operators SSSI Ltd, Quantum Waste, Hinkcroft Transport Ltd (HTL) and CD Waste. The exact facility has not been confirmed.
Lewisham Reuse and Recycling Centre, Landmann Way @LondonFire #landmannwayfire #bermondseyfire #lewishamreuseandrecyclingcentre #fire #lfb pic.twitter.com/wNxyyDgmYf
— YEDIS DRONE SHOTS (@yedisdroneshots) August 18, 2026
The incident caused travel chaos across London yesterday and into this evening, with trains cancelled “as a precaution” while the LFB responded.
Speaking from the scene, LFB Station Commander Duncan Rees, said: “Crews worked hard in difficult conditions to bring the fire under control.
“Whilst the fire is under control, crews will remain on scene into the morning and afternoon as they work to extinguish the remaining pockets of fire.”
The LFB mobilised 15 fire engines and approximately 100 firefighters, alongside one of the Brigade’s 32m ladders and a 64m ladder which were used as a water towers to tackle the flames from above.
The fire involved around 50 tonnes of household waste stored at the waste facility, but the cause of the fire is not yet known.
The LFB said that it first received reports of the incident at 19:59 and mobilised crews from East Greenwich, Old Kent Road, Deptford and surrounding fire stations.
June fire on Landmann Way
A facility on the same street caught alight in June this year. While the street and site appear to be the same, it is yet to be confirmed whether it is the same facility.
The previous fire was reported by the LFB as “under control” at 11:37pm on the same day and was fully extinguished following an overnight operation.
The LFB deployed two 32-metre turntable ladders, a hose layer unit and a drone team.
The cause of the fire has not been disclosed and it is believed to have taken place at the facility operated by SSSI Ltd.
Station Commander Wayne Bloomfield, who attended the scene, said: “Firefighters have worked hard overnight and have now fully extinguished this fire.
“At its height, the fire involved a large amount of refuse and the roof of a warehouse unit.
“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.”
Crews were deployed from Deptford, Old Kent Road, Greenwich and surrounding fire stations.
One man was treated on the scene by the London Ambulance Service, but no other injuries have been reported.
A van and a car were destroyed by the fire, alongside severe damage to the roof of a warehouse unit.
Several train services departing from London Bridge station were cancelled during peak hours, resulting in travel chaos for many.
Despite some press reports, the fire is not thought to have occurred at the Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC) operated by Lewisham Council – which is further south on the street.
Increase in waste fires
The news comes as the industry has seen waste fires spike even more than usual in recent weeks due to the recurrent heatwaves.
On Tuesday last week, firefighters tackled a blaze involving around 200 tonnes of waste at a Biffa waste transfer station in St Neots, Cambridgeshire.
Biffa said all employees at the waste transfer station were “quickly and safely evacuated” following the fire, with no injuries reported.
Aside from the Biffa fire, last week halso saw fires at sites in Milton Keynes, Corby, Glasgow, Essex and Dagenham in London. This is likely just a small number of the actual waste fires that occurred.
Last year, the Environmental Services Association (ESA) issued a stark warning that battery fires have reached “epidemic levels”.
In a policy briefing, the ESA called for urgent reform to mandate universal kerbside collections for waste batteries and small electricals.
Material Focus reported that more than 1,200 battery-related fires broke out in refuse vehicles and waste facilities during 2023/24 – a 71% increase on the previous year.
It is estimated that these incidents now cost the UK over £1 billion annually, threatening not only vital infrastructure but also the lives of frontline workers tasked with managing the nation’s waste.
Interested in learning more about MRFs, vapes and waste fires?
- The letsrecycle.com Fire and Health & Safety Conference will be held in London on 21 October 2026. Find out more and buy tickets here.
- The letsrecycle.com MRF & Markets Conference will be held in Solihull on 5 November 2026. Find out more and buy tickets here.
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