Huge plumes of smoke over London as wildfire ravages country park
A huge tower of smoke can be seen over London as 125 firefighters try to stop a raging wildfire from engulfing a country park.
Locals are being evacuated as fire engines try to douse the out-of-control grass fire in Beam Valley Country Park in Dagenham.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) say the area is around eight hectares of grass, shrubland and trees, as well as fences and garden furniture.
An LFB spokesman said: ‘Residents are advised to keep their doors and windows shut due to the smoke and the public is advised to avoid the area due to road closures.’
The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.
A wildfire response vehicle has been deployed to the east London inferno.
A spokesperson for LFB added: ‘These vehicles provide off-road capability enabling the transportation of additional equipment closer to fires on open ground.
‘Each vehicle carries approximately 475 litres of water, a backpack blower, ear defenders, beaters and misting lance technology, which allows firefighters to pump water and drive, enabling them to tackle grass fires more quickly and safely.’
Less than two hours later, another wildfire broke out consuming six hectares of grassland behind homes in Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch.
The LFB also said the cause of the fire, less than five miles away from the Dagenham blaze, was still unknown.
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It came after Essex fire service said another huge fire in Maldon ‘was started deliberately’.
A hectare of field caught fire near Chelmer Blackwater Reserve.
A spokesman said: ‘Many wildfires are started deliberately or are due to careless, reckless, or irresponsible behaviour.
‘If you see or suspect someone of acting suspiciously, recklessly, or irresponsibly in the countryside contact the Police on 101.’
Thames Water has become the latest supplier to announce a hosepipe ban after one of the driest starts to the year on record.
The company is introducing restrictions across Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Berkshire from next Tuesday.
Large parts of the UK are now officially in drought, including in Yorkshire where a hosepipe ban came into effect on Friday.
Under the new rules, residents are barred from using hosepipes to wash cars, water gardens or fill paddling pools. Anyone caught flouting them can face fines of up to £1,000.