Firefighters hit out at ‘reckless’ people causing grass fires

RECORD NUMBER OF BLAZES STARTED THIS YEAR DURING HEATWAVE Tips to prevent grass fires

■ Dispose of smoking materials such as cigarettes and matches safely

■ Never leave campfires or barbecues unattended and extinguish them properly after you have finished using them

■ Clear away bottles, glasses and any broken glass to avoid them magnifying the sun

■ Explain to children the dangers of playing with and lighting fires FED-UP firefighters across London have said “reckless” people are putting people’s lives at risk by causing a record number of grass fires in the current heatwave.

So far this year, crews from London Fire Brigade have already attended six times as many large grass fires than the total number attended in 2017.

Fire chiefs say this increase is down to the grass being extremely dry due to the scorching heatwave across the UK, meaning fires spread quickly.

At one point on Monday night, more than 260 firefighters were tackling grass fires across London – including large blazes in Hillingdon, Leytonstone and Enfield.

On Saturday, 20 firefighters with four fire engines tackled a grass fire in Feltham, which was seen from miles away from the scene in Hatchett Road.

Last week, a grass fire the size of a football pitch broke out in Hounslow and another the size of four football pitches broke out near Hounslow Urban Farm.

Speaking on Tuesday, the Brigade’s deputy commissioner and director of operations Tom George urged people to “stop putting lives at risk”.

He said: “We’re fed up of politely asking people to take care. We’re now asking people to stop putting lives at risk by carelessly chucking cigarettes or matches down on dry grass.

“There hasn’t been any rain for several weeks and I’ve never seen London looking so parched. All it takes is one act of stupidity and the whole lot can go up in minutes.”

He added: “If you drop a cigarette down on dry grass or leave your barbecue unattended you could singlehandedly be responsible for starting a massive fire and that is not something you want on your conscience.

“We’re attending several grass fires every day in London and for the most part it is only thanks to the quick response from firefighters that they are not spreading out of control.”

Firefighters are asking members of the public to remain vigilant and call 999 as soon as they see any grass smouldering as grass fires can “quickly get out of control”.

Firefighters say many grass fires are avoidable, with the most common causes being discarded cigarettes and matches, unattended barbecues and glass bottles that have been left on dry grass.

The Brigade is also “concerned that some grass fires are being started deliberately” and is asking parents to talk to their children about the dangers of starting fires.

Smoke could be seen at Heathrow Airport from grass alight in Feltham

The London Fire Brigade battling a grass fire near Heathrow airport the size of four football pitches; (below) grass charred from fire at Hounslow Heath