Grass Fire Tears Through Walthamstow Marshes
A third major grass fire in east London broke out on Walthamstow Marshes late Monday evening, with eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters working to bring the blaze under control.
The London Fire Brigade received its first call at 8:55pm and dispatched crews from Homerton, Finchley, Stoke Newington and surrounding stations. Firefighters battled flames that destroyed around three hectares of grassland before declaring the incident under control by 11:23pm.
Safety Warning Amid Heatwave
The fire follows similar wildfires in Dagenham and Hornchurch earlier in the evening, prompting fresh warnings about the dangers of fire in dry, urban environments.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said:
“During the hot weather, it is important everyone acts responsibly to prevent fires from occurring. It only takes a few sparks for fire to spread rapidly—and in London, this can be particularly dangerous because many green spaces are close to homes and buildings.
They urged the public to avoid disposable barbecues, ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished, and refrain from lighting bonfires or burning waste, particularly during the ongoing heatwave.
Disposable BBQs Banned in Parks
Many London parks, including Walthamstow Marshes, have local authority bans on disposable barbecues, which can retain dangerous heat for hours.
“Please don’t have any type of BBQ on your balcony either,” the Brigade added. “It’s simply too risky in these conditions.”
Investigation Underway
The cause of the Walthamstow fire is under investigation. It marks the third wildfire incident in east London in a matter of hours, raising serious concerns as the capital enters what could be another record-breaking summer for wildfires.
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