Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers were called to a bin lorry on fire in Gale Street, Dagenham.
A dustcart was destroyed by fire. A 7.5 tonne LGV was also damaged by fire.
The Brigade was called at 0253 and the fire was under control at 1635. Fire crews from Barking, Dagenham, and East Ham fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.