Eight fire engines and 58 firefighters and officers were called to a fire at a scrapyard in Bidder Street, Canning Town this afternoon.
A quantity of scrap material and part of a shipping container was damaged by fire.
Station Manager Richard Tapp, who was at the scene said:
"The smoke was very visible and could be seen from miles around. Firefighters worked hard to bring it under control and will be there throughout the evening damping down pockets of fire."
The Brigade's control officers took twelve 999 calls in the early stages of the fire. Approximately 60 people were evacuated from neighbouring businesses as a precaution.
The Brigade was called at 1452 and fire was under control by 1633. Fire crews from Plaistow, Poplar, Millwall, Shadwell, Whitechapel were are at the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.