Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to a fire at a landfill site on Coldharbour Lane in Rainham.
Firefighters tackled a fire at a landfill site for household rubbish where a significant amount of rubbish was alight.
Residents in the area are advised to keep their doors and windows shut due to the smoke.
The Brigade was called at 1726 and the fire was under control by 2052. Fire crews from Barking, Wennington, Dagenham, Hornchurch, East Ham and crews from surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire will be investigated.