Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at an industrial estate on Swaislands Drive in Crayford.
Part of the internal dust extraction system inside a single-storey industrial unit with a mezzanine floor was damaged by fire. Seven people left the building before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.
The fire was discovered by staff working on site who heard a rumbling sound and saw smoke coming from the extraction machine at the rear of the workshop.
Sub Officer Paul Rose, who was at the scene, said: “Initial crews arrived to find light smoke coming from inside the unit.
“On investigation they found that the extraction system in an area where sawdust was collected, was alight.
“The sawdust fuelled the fire, but crews worked incredibly hard to bring it under control and stop it from causing further damage.”
The Brigade was called at 1242 and the fire was under control by 1408. Fire crews from Erith, Sidcup, Eltham and Plumstead fire stations attended the scene.
The Brigade's Fire Investigators believe the fire was accidental and caused by the failure of the extraction motor and the build up of dust in the ducting.