Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a forklift truck alight at the rear of a building on New Road in Rainham.
A forklift truck and an area of scrap metal were destroyed by the blaze. There were no reports of any injuries.
Firefighters cooled and removed one propane cylinder from the scene as cylinders can explode when exposed to heat.
The Brigade was called at 2136 and the fire was under control by 2300. Fire crews from Wennington, Dagenham and Barking fire stations were at the scene.
The cause of the fire is believed to be electrical.