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Dagenham wildfire and two other grass fires under investigation Dagenham wildfire and two other grass fires under investigation
(about 2 hours later)
The grass fire in Dagenham came close to houses, which were evacuated as a precautionThe grass fire in Dagenham came close to houses, which were evacuated as a precaution
More than 200 firefighters tackled three separate grass fires in east London on Monday evening. London Fire Brigade (LFB) has fought more wildfires so far this summer than in the whole of 2024, a senior firefighter has said.
Some residents in Dagenham were asked to temporarily leave their homes after eight hectares (20 acres) of grass, shrubland and trees, fences and garden furniture caught alight near Beam Parklands. Borough commander Blake Betts spoke to the BBC after three large areas of grassland were destroyed in separate fires that burned throughout Monday evening in east London.
Wildfire beaters were later used to tackle flames that destroyed an area of grassland near Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch, while firefighters brought a third fire under control at Walthamstow Marshes. Some residents in part of Dagenham were asked to temporarily leave their homes as flames ripped through eight hectares (20 acres) of Beam Valley Country Park, while areas of grassland burned near Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch and at Walthamstow Marshes.
The flames have been put out and the cause of the fires is under investigation, as London Fire Brigade (LFB) warns it could be a "challenging summer" due to warm and dry weather conditions. Mr Betts said crews were experiencing a "busy summer", but were well prepared with new equipment and training.
Watch: Major grass fire erupts in Beam Parklands, RainhamWatch: Major grass fire erupts in Beam Parklands, Rainham
About 125 firefighters tackled the largest blaze in Dagenham, which came close to reaching neighbouring houses. About 125 firefighters tackled the Dagenham fire, the largest of the three blazes.
Station commander Matt Hayward said: "Firefighters worked extremely hard to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby properties. Firefighters used jets and wildfire beaters to beat the flames and new specialist wildfire vehicles were deployed.
"The fire had reached some garden fences, sheds and garden furniture." "Crews worked in very challenging conditions to bring the fire under control," Mr Betts said.
Jets and wildfire beaters were used to stop flames reaching the properties, Mr Hayward said. LFB said that while three such fires in one evening had been "a lot" for firefighters, it was not unheard of and that crews were preparing for more blazes like these.
LFB added that fire breaks installed by the local authority had been important in preventing the fire spreading to residential areas. "We are experiencing a very busy summer; we certainly haven't had one like this in a few years, but we are much better prepared for these fires than we were in the past.
The brigade said that while three such fires in one evening had been "a lot" for firefighters, it was not unheard of and that crews were preparing for more blazes like these. "We had new wildfire vehicles at this fire yesterday, all of our staff have been trained to deal with these fires and we have a really robust response to these type of fire."
"All of our firefighters have been undergoing enhanced wildfire response training in preparation for what could be another challenging summer," LFB said. Having burned through trees and shrubland, the flames came close to neighbouring houses, scorching garden furniture, sheds and fences.
However, fire breaks cut into the grass by the local council helped prevent the blaze from spreading further, Mr Betts said.
These are areas where grass has been cut very short within areas of longer grass which had been installed in preparedness for a fire such as this.
"In this instance they've worked really effectively to stop the spread or control the spread to one particular area," he said.
About eight hectares (20 acres) of grassland on Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch were destroyed by flames, LFB saidAbout eight hectares (20 acres) of grassland on Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch were destroyed by flames, LFB said
It has urged Londoners to act "responsibly" to prevent further fires. Cynthia Dawkins-Lloyd, whose house backs on to the country park, said she was first made aware of the fire because she smelled it.
"As the weather has been so dry, it only takes a few sparks to lead to a fire spreading rapidly," an LFB spokesperson said. "I had just come back from my holiday and I was lying down in my nightgown and smelled smoke."
"In London, this is can be dangerous because so many of our green spaces lie close to homes and other properties." She said although her "fantastic neighbours" tried to tackle the flames with hoses, her garden fence had burned, as the fire was so close.
In particular, people are being reminded not to use disposable barbecues in parks or fields nor to use them on wooden decking in private areas. Ms Dawkins-Lloyd added that there had been a fire on the site every summer in recent years and believed she needed to protect her home.
"I think I'm going to build a concrete wall. That would stop it," she said.
Watch: Aftermath of the fire that destroyed parklandWatch: Aftermath of the fire that destroyed parkland
All three fires are now under investigation, although Mr Betts said fires like these were typically caused by sparks from disposable barbecues or cigarettes.
"We want people to be out in open spaces enjoying the weather but we want them to be doing so carefully and cautiously," he said.
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