Four fire engines were called to a large fire in Rainham that resulted in clouds of black smoke visible for miles in the evening.
The London Fire Brigade confirmed that fire engines from Dagenham, Barking and Hornchurch stations were called to reports of a fire in Askwith Road at 5.21pm on Tuesday, March 3.
A spokeswoman added: "It appears to be rubbish or trees alight and firefighters remain on scene at the moment."
A single storey outbuilding and a garden shed were destroyed by the fire. There were no reports of any injuries.
The brigade's 999 control officers received 18 calls about the blaze.
The fire is believed to have started when garden waste being burnt in a metal container spread out of control.
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