Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters tackled a warehouse fire on Blackwater Close in Rainham.
The whole of an industrial unit of two floors was damaged by fire.
Station Commander Shaun Fox, who was at the scene, said: “The fire damaged a industrial unit of two floors. A number of gas cylinders were removed to a safe area as some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat.
"The smoke plume thankfully did not affect the nearby A13.
“It is likely that firefighters will be at the scene throughout the day.”
The Brigade's 999 Control Officers took 19 calls to the blaze.
The Brigade was called at 0444 and the fire was under control by 0737. Fire crews from Wennington, Dagenham, Barking and surrounding fire stations are at the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.