Recycling centre fire in South Bermondsey tackled

April 20, 2026

South London News Police & Courts Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters attended a fire at the Southwark Reuse and Recycling Centre on Devon Street in South Bermondsey on Friday night, 17 April 2026. The blaze involved a substantial pile of household waste within the facility's tipping hall.

Fortunately, there were no reports of any injuries. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was alerted at 21:45, with Control Officers mobilizing crews from Old Kent Road, New Cross, Peckham, Dockhead, Deptford, and Dowgate stations. Firefighters worked through the night to dampen down deep-seated pockets of fire, bringing the incident under control by 23:19. The cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental.

The "Hidden" Risk: Lithium-Ion Batteries

While the cause of this specific fire is recorded as accidental, the London Fire Brigade has issued a national warning regarding the primary cause of waste facility fires in 2026: misdisposed lithium-ion batteries.

The "Zombie Battery" Problem: When batteries from vapes, electric toothbrushes, or old mobile phones are thrown into general waste or mixed recycling, they can be crushed by bin lorries or sorting machinery.

Ferocious Ignition: A crushed lithium-ion battery can undergo "thermal runaway," causing it to explode and ignite surrounding dry waste (like paper and plastic) in seconds.

Deep-Seated Fires: Waste fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish because the heat stays trapped deep within the pile. Firefighters often have to use "shovel loaders" to break apart the waste while dousing it with water.

Local Area & Service Update

The Devon Street facility (managed by Veolia Southwark) is the primary recycling hub for thousands of South London residents.

Service Availability: Following the fire on 17 April, residents should check the Southwark Council website or the Veolia Southwark "Recycle for Southwark" app before visiting. Significant fires in tipping halls often require a temporary closure for structural safety checks.

Alternative Sites: If Devon Street is closed, the nearest alternative for household waste is the Linnell Road site in Camberwell or the Walworth recycling points.

Safe Disposal Tip: Never put "anything with a plug or a battery" in your household wheelie bin. Southwark residents can use the dedicated "Pink Bins" located across the borough for small electricals or drop batteries off at most major supermarkets.

Author

South London News Police & Courts Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

From the local beat to the Inner London Crown Court, the South London News Police & Courts Desk offers comprehensive coverage of justice in our boroughs. Our editorial staff provide rapid reporting, trial analysis, and exclusive insights into local safety, ensuring our readers stay informed on the stories affecting their streets.

Every report is produced under the rigorous oversight of a leadership team with decades of experience at Yahoo UK, Metro, and the Daily Mail. By bridging the gap between breaking incidents and traditional court reporting, our desk upholds the highest standards of journalistic integrity to provide an accurate, human-led perspective on justice today.