Erith Warehouse Blaze Sends Thick Smoke Across Town, Triggers Major Emergency Response
A dramatic fire erupted late last night at a scrapyard warehouse on Maypole Crescent, blanketing the skies above Erith in thick, dark smoke and prompting a large-scale emergency operation.
The incident, which began just before 11pm, saw London Fire Brigade launch a massive response. “We were called at 10.47pm to reports of a fire on Maypole Crescent,” a spokesperson confirmed.
In total, 25 fire engines and 150 firefighters rushed to the scene. Crews came from across southeast London, including Bexley, Plumstead, Sidcup, East Greenwich, and Erith itself. The flames had engulfed a single-storey warehouse, three industrial diggers, and several vehicles within the scrapyard.
The scale was intense.
Two towering 32-metre turntable ladders were deployed, allowing firefighters to strike the fire from above. “They needed a clear view to control the blaze effectively,” an official said. One of the Brigade’s fire boats also joined efforts from the River Thames, pumping a massive 2,500 litres of water per minute.
Despite the intensity of the fire, no injuries have been reported.
Fire crews worked through the night and eventually brought the inferno under control by 6.52am today. But not before residents were urged to shut windows and doors as the smoke spread through nearby streets.
“The volume of smoke was significant,” a local resident shared. “You could smell it from quite a distance.”
The incident has left the community rattled.
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire investigators are expected to comb through the site throughout the day, seeking clues as to what may have triggered the blaze.
Meanwhile, locals are expressing concerns over safety protocols at the scrapyard. “This isn’t the first time we’ve seen smoke coming from that site,” another resident said. “But nothing like this.”
As emergency services wind down their operation, questions remain about how such a large fire took hold so quickly — and what can be done to prevent future risks at the Erith warehouse site.
