A team from Johnstone community fire station was first to arrive at the Floors Street building at 6pm on Monday and discovered a large quantity of recycling materials "well alight" in the site.
Residents from four nearby properties were evacuated by police but there were no injuries, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service said.
Support came from Paisley and Renfrew community fire stations before the arrival of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue's major incident command unit and crews from across Glasgow, Dunbartonshire, Lanarkshire and Ayrshire.
Six main water jets were used on different areas of the fire as it was "sectorised" to prevent the flames from spreading. The fire was reported by a number of people as the flames quickly spread, sending thick, black smoke into the sky.
The fire service and police force will hold an investigation into the cause of the fire.
