Firefighters have tackled three wildfires in as many hours in east London, forcing some residents to be evacuated as flames came perilously close to houses.
Around 125 firefighters tackled a grass fire in Dagenham that temporarily forced some locals from their homes on Monday evening.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said 20 fire engines and a wildfire response unit were called to the blaze behind Clemence Road, which covers around eight hectares of grass (20 acres), shrubland and trees, as well as fences and garden furniture.
In an update, LFB said the fire was under control by 9.45pm.
Nearby properties were evacuated as a precaution, the LFB said.
Firefighter Craig Fenner said: "Firefighters worked extremely hard to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby properties.
"The fire had reached some garden fences, sheds and garden furniture. As well as our jets, we used wildfire beaters to beat the flames and stop them from reaching the properties.
Suspected Wildfire at the Beam Parklands Country Park, Dagenham East. pic.twitter.com/LPoWS2GGep
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"Firefighters will remain at the scene for the next few hours to continue to dampen down the surrounding area."
Residents were advised to keep their doors and windows shut due to the smoke.
Meanwhile, members of the public were advised to avoid the area due to road closures.
Video footage shows a group of residents watching the fire burn as smoke billows into the sky.
The brigade said wildlife response vehicles provide off-road capability enabling the transportation of additional equipment closer to fires on open ground.
Each vehicle carries approximately 475 litres of water, a backpack blower, ear defenders, beaters and misting lance technology, which allows firefighters to pump water and drive, enabling them to tackle grass fires more quickly and safely.
The brigade is currently trialling four wildfire response vehicles across the capital.
Wildfire beaters are also being used in the efforts to prevent the fire from spreading. The beater is made of a long handle with a flat piece of rubber at the end. They are used to beat the flames, which deprives them of oxygen and cools them down.
The brigade's Control Office took the first of over 75 calls at 6.30pm.
Fire crews from Dagenham, Hornchurch, Wennington, Romford, and other surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.
Meanwhile, eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters have been called to a grass fire nearby in Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch.
Firefighters tackled a blaze where around six hectares of grassland was alight. Residents were advised to keep their doors and windows shut due to the smoke.
The brigade was called at 8.10pm and mobilised crews from Barking, Kentish Town, Soho and other surrounding fire stations to the scene.
The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.
Around 60 firefighters were called to a third grass fire on Walthamstow Marshes at 8.55pm.
Around three hectares of grassland was destroyed by fire.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “During the hot weather, it is important everyone acts responsibly to prevent fires from occurring. As the weather has been so dry, it only takes a few sparks to lead to a fire spreading rapidly. In London, this is can be dangerous because so many of our green spaces lie close to homes and other properties.
“If you’re heading out, please don’t take a disposable BBQ with you. They can retain heat for several hours after use and are banned by local authorities from many of London's parks. Also make sure you are discarding of cigarettes properly and take rubbish home with you if no bins are available.
“At home, make sure your BBQ is positioned away from flammable items like fences, sheds, decking and trees and please don’t have any type of BBQ on your balcony. We’re also strongly advising people to avoid burning any waste in this type of weather and to not have bonfires, particularly in their gardens.”
