A man has been treated by paramedics following a fire at a Bellingham scrap metal yard where smoke billowed from the flames.

Half of two ISO containers, a partial flat bed lorry, and part of two skips were damaged in the blaze on July 22.

A 32-metre turntable ladder was used as an observation tower to help with controlling the fire on Randlesdown Road.

The incident, reportedly caused by a lithium battery catching on fire in the waste, destroyed an area measuring three metres by three metres.

The fire was reported at 5.33pm and was brought under control by 6.43pm.

Fire crews from Lewisham, Forest Hill, Beckenham and surrounding stations responded and the 999 response centre received 29 calls regarding the incident.

The fire has been recorded as accidental.

London Fire Brigade has issued a warning about lithium-ion batteries and the risk of potential fires.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Lithium-ion battery fires are a major risk. We’ve seen a growing number of fires at waste disposal sites that are believed to have been caused by a lithium battery.

"Although lithium-ion battery products that have been built to a poor standard are a higher fire risk, any battery is at risk of exploding and catching fire if it has been crushed or becomes damaged.

“Lithium-ion battery fires can be ferocious and can spread in seconds.

“Fires that we attend at sites like recycling centres and scrap yards can be very time consuming for our firefighters and often require a high level of resources to put the fire out.

“We’ve also seen the detrimental environmental and societal impact these fires can have on local communities.

"Lithium batteries and electricals with hidden lithium-ion batteries should not be placed in the same bins as your regular rubbish or recycling.

“Instead, check with the retailer or your local authority's website for the safest way to dispose of lithium-ion batteries in your area and reduce the risk of fires occurring."