Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters attended a fire on Arundel Grove in Islington.
The fire occurred in a two-storey bin room, which was attached to a block of maisonettes. There were no reports of any injuries.
The fire is believed to have been caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "If you smoke it is vitally important you stub it right out, preferably in an ashtray.
"Always ensure your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it. If you don’t, you risk causing a fire.
The Brigade received the first of three calls at 1731 and Control Officers mobilised crews from Stoke Newington, Bethnal Green, Islington and Shoreditch fire stations to the scene. The fire was extinguished by 1837.