Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers were called to a grass fire in Leitrim Park at the rear of Wigley Road in Feltham.
Two hectares of grass and shrubland, equivalent to two rugby pitches, were damaged by fire and a garden fence was completely destroyed.
This is the second large grass fire that firefighters have been called to in the area in the space of a week, following a grass fire in Crane Park in Twickenham.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: “Grass fires can be started deliberately or accidentally, but however they start, they can cause huge damage to property and kill wildlife.
“In this prolonged hot spell, a small spark from a cigarette is often all it takes to start a grass fire in such dry conditions. It really is important that smokers dispose of their cigarettes properly. Another common way that these fires start is from glass bottles which can concentrate the suns rays onto dry grass and shrubbery.”
The Brigade’s top tips on preventing grass fires are as follows:
• Never leave camp fires or barbeques 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 and starting a fire
• Dispose of smoking materials such as cigarettes safely
• Explain to children the dangers of playing with and lighting fires
If you see a grass fire, don't attempt to put it out yourself as grass fires can travel very quickly and change direction without warning. Call the fire brigade and let us know where the fire is.
The Brigade was called at 1709 and the incident was under control by 1829. Fire crews from Feltham and Twickenham fire stations were at the scene.