Last updated: 14/04/2020, 8:54 AM

Grass fire - Wimbledon

10/04/2020 17:15
Merton
Outdoor fire
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Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a fire on Windmill Road in Wimbledon.

Approximately two hectares of grassland and low-lying scrubland was alight. There were no reports of any injuries.

The Brigade was called at 1715 and the fire was under control by 1852. Fire crews from Wandsworth, Fulham, Battersea, Tooting and Hammersmith fire stations were at the scene.

Firefighters’ top tips on grass 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.

Causes

• The most common causes of grass fires are discarded cigarettes, which if thrown from a car window can ignite dry grass verges
• Another common way that these fires start is from glass bottles which can concentrate the suns rays onto dry grass and shrubbery

Precautions

• 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

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