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Recycling plant fire causes severe rail disruption

Aurelia FosterLondon
PA Media A view from Masthouse Terrace boat stop, on the Isle of Dogs as smoke rises into the sky from a fire at the Landmann Way Reuse and Recycling Centre in Bermondsey, south LondonPA Media

A blaze at a recycling plant in south London caused major rail disruption in the area on Monday, Network Rail has said.

Firefighters brought it under control shortly before midnight and an investigation into its cause has begun, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

About 100 personnel had been called to Landmann Way, Bermondsey, just after 17:30 BST, and used 15 engines and turntable ladders to tackle the flames from above.

Images posted on social media showed large clouds of smoke rising into the air. Residents were advised to keep their windows and doors closed.

Rail services in and out of London Bridge, including some by Southeastern and Thameslink, faced disruption, Network Rail said.

Video taken from a train shows a large plume of smoke in Bermondsey
PA Media A general view of a fire at the Landmann Way Reuse and Recycling Centre in Bermondsey, south London.PA Media

Station Commander Wayne Bloomfield, at the scene, said firefighters had worked "hard to extinguish a large amount of refuse at a recycling centre".

"Due to the significant amount of smoke in the area, local residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed," he said on Monday

Residents were advised to pour water on loose embers if close to their properties and to call 999 if they caught something alight.

PA Media Silhouette of a firefighter in a raised mechanical crane platform spraying a stream of water downwards against a thick blanket of smoke. The bright sun glows through the hazy, orange sky above the dark silhouette of a building.PA Media

A Network Rail spokesperson said on Tuesday evening: "We apologise for the delay to your journey this evening. Due to a large fire in a recycling centre adjacent to the tracks in the New Cross area, there are severe delays on services in the south London area this evening and trains may be diverted to alternative London terminals."

They said a major incident had been declared by the fire brigade and that trains were running at reduced speed in the area.

"Trains are subject to delay, diversion and cancellation this evening," the spokesperson said.

"Ticket acceptance is in place and you may use your ticket at no extra cost on London Underground services between London terminals.

"We are working in collaboration with London Fire Brigade and will keep passengers updated as we receive more information."

PA Media Two firefighters in high-visibility protective gear stand in the basket of a turntable ladder, directing a water jet into a large hole in the charred, corrugated metal wall of an industrial building. Smoke billows from the damaged structure.PA Media
The fire took place at a recycling centre

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