Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at a waste recycling centre on Devon Street in South Bermondsey.
A fire partly damaged 500Kgs of loose mixed recyclable materials. Two people left the premises before the arrival of the Brigade. There were no reports of any injuries.
A sprinkler system installed at the waste recycling centre actuated and helped to suppress the fire.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “This incident highlights the clear benefits of sprinklers to businesses and we would urge all companies and business owners to install them.
“As well as limiting fire damage and being potentially life saving devices, sprinklers and other fire suppression systems help with business continuity by minimising disruption and allowing businesses to get back to normal as soon as possible.”
The Brigade was called at 2040 and the fire was under control by 2241. Fire crews from New Cross, Old Kent Road, Peckham and Deptford fire stations attended the scene.