Grass fire – Erith

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to reports of grass alight on Whitehall Lane in Erith.

Around two acres of shrubland were damaged by fire. There were no reports of any injuries.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “The hot weather we have been having makes the ground extremely dry, which unfortunately means grassland and parks will burn quickly when exposed to even the smallest of sparks.

“The most common causes of grass fires are discarded cigarettes. Even ones thrown from car windows can ignite dry grass verges and spread quickly. Whilst it is safer to smoke outdoors, please always make sure cigarettes are disposed of carefully, or even better yet - stop smoking altogether.”

Brigade top tips on grass fires:

• Avoid having barbecues in parks, public spaces and balconies.
• 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- don’t drop cigarettes on dry ground and don’t drop them out of car windows, as they may land on dry grass and lead to a fire.
• Never leave barbecues unattended and extinguish them properly after you have finished using them.
• Disposable barbecues that have been discarded and abandoned can still end up causing a fire as they will continue to retain heat after use – they need to be put right out and cooled before being thrown away.

The Brigade was called at 1528 and the fire was under control by 1704. Fire crews from Sidcup, Erith and Plumstead fire stations attended the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.