London Scrap Terminal caught on fire in 2025. Photo: Skyshark Media / Shutterstock.com Around 60 firefighters were called to tackle a major fire at a metal recycling center on Staffa Road in Leyton, east London, after around 20 tons of scrap metal caught fire.
Eight fire engines were sent to the scene after the London Fire Brigade received the first report at 6:44 am. Crews from Leyton, Homerton, Walthamstow and surrounding fire stations attended the incident.
London Fire Brigade; Photo: Ceri Breeze / Shutterstock.comThe scale of the blaze required additional specialist equipment. One of the Brigade’s 32-meter aerial ladders was deployed, along with a drone team to help crews monitor the fire and assess conditions at the recycling center.
Residents living close to the fire were advised to keep their doors and windows closed while firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.
Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control by 9:57am. The cause of the blaze is not yet known.
The incident comes as waste and recycling fires continue to affect facilities across the UK.
Metals facilities are particularly vulnerable, with industry bodies including the Environmental Services Association warning that battery-related fires, particularly those involving improperly disposed lithium-ion batteries, are occurring at what it describes as “epidemic levels”.
A fire also broke out at a metals recycling site near Bromsgrove on September 1, causing road closures and a large plume of black smoke. Recent heatwaves have further increased the risk of fires spreading through stockpiled waste.
The ESA has issued guidance for waste and recycling operators during periods of extreme heat, recommending that businesses review fire prevention measures and take additional steps to reduce ignition risks and protect frontline workers.