A fireboat was drafted in to draw water directly from the River Thames as part of a major firefighting operation at a scrap metal yard in south-east London in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The blaze broke out at a recycling site on Manor Road in Erith, prompting the London Fire Brigade to dispatch around 80 firefighters and 12 engines to the scene. Among the specialist equipment deployed was one of the brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders, which was positioned as an elevated water tower to tackle the flames from height — an approach used when ground-level access proves insufficient.
Approximately 400 tonnes of scrap metal were affected before the fire was brought under control at around 11:30am.
Nearby residents had been advised to keep their windows and doors closed due to smoke in the area, though that warning was subsequently lifted once the situation had stabilised.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Arnold of the London Fire Brigade said crews had worked throughout the morning to bring the fire under control. He confirmed that firefighters remained at the scene for several hours afterwards to ensure no remaining fire reignited.
The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation.
