Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a fire at an industrial unit on Church Manorway in Erith.
Part of an oil seed processing plant was damaged by fire. Around 480 people were evacuated from the site and surrounding areas. A 50 metre cordon was put in place as a precaution whilst crews worked to make the scene safe. Three men were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews and were taken to hospital.
Crews carried out a sweep of the area to check for elevated readings of chemical substances but found none.
The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers received 22 calls alerting them to the blaze.
The Brigade was called at 0913 and the fire was under control by 1208. Fire crews from Erith, Wennington, Bexley, Plumstead and East Greenwich fire stations were at the scene.
The Brigade's Fire Investigators believe the cause of the fire was accidental and involved a diesel compressor.