Six fire engines and 35 firefighters and officers were called to a fire in a scrapyard on Salamons Way in Rainham this afternoon.
Around a quarter of the yard, which contains four portable cabins and 30 cars, was alight.
The Brigade was called at 1625 and the fire under control by 1821, although crews remained at the scene damping down hot spots. Fire crews from Wennington, Dagenham, Ilford, Barking and Hornchurch fire stations were at the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.