Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters responded to a fire on Landman Way, Deptford.
The fire involved around 50 tonnes of household waste stored at a waste facility. The structure of the facility has been severely damaged by the fire.
Speaking from the scene, Station Commander Duncan Rees said: "Crews worked hard in difficult conditions to bring the fire under control. One of the Brigade’s 32m ladders and a 64m ladder were used as a water towers to tackle the flames from above
"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."
As a precaution, nearby rail lines were closed as crews responded to the fire.
The Brigade took the first of over 160 calls reporting the incident at 1959, and crews from East Greenwich, Old Kent Road, Deptford and surrounding fire stations were sent to the scene. Firefighters had the fire under control by 0216 (19 August), and are now working to extinguish the remaining pockets of fire, and dampen down the scene.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.