Restrictions were in place on the A13 at Ferry Lane as a large fire at a car storage yard caused smoke to blow across the carriageway.
The A13 was closed as eight fire engines and around 58 firefighters tackled a huge fire at a container depot, which was visible across Essex and East London.
The road has since reopened.
A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said: "Eight fire engines and 58 firefighters and officers were called to a blaze at a vehicle recycling yard on Ferry Lane in Rainham.
"Three lorries, 17 motor vehicles, one fork lift truck and one 40 foot container were damaged by fire.
"A total of15 7.5kg propane cylinders were removed from the scene and cooled to an ambient temperature.
"The Brigade was called at 1.20pm and the fire was under control at 1614. Fire crews from Wennington and other surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
"The cause of the fire is under investigation."
The fire service rushed to Ferry Lane in Rainham to tackle the blaze, which is believed to have started at about 1.30pm today (Monday, June 26).
A Transport for London traffic camera showed the black smoke billowing from the container depot in Ferry Lane at the junction with the A13 Thames Gateway.
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