Firefighters tackle blaze on Woolwich Common

More than 100 firefighters yesterday tackled a blaze on an area of grassland in London the size of four football pitches.

A large plume of smoke was seen rising from the fire at Woolwich Common in south-east London close to Queen Elizabeth NHS Hospital and the historic Woolwich Barracks. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters remained on the site because of fears that it could flare up again, following moorland blazes in the north-west in recent weeks.