Heatwave: firefighters battle spreading grass fires in Leytonstone, East London

Fire crews were battling two grass fires in Leytonstone, East London, this afternoon. Eight engines and 60 firefighters were sent to tackle one blaze, and six engines to another.

A London Fire Brigade spokeswoman said it was not clear how the fires started, but warned the public to make sure they were putting out cigarettes and barbecues properly near grass areas.

The brigade said they are dealing with the worst grass fires since 2006, as temperatures peaked at 29 degrees.

There were 37 grass fires in a 24 hour period, ending yesterday afternoon, though bosses insist they can cope, a spokeswoman said.

There have been nearly 2000 grass fires this year, though that number is set to rise in the next few days, the spokeswoman added.

London Fire Brigade's Head of Operations, Prevention and Response, Dave Brown said: "Grass fires can cause a great deal of damage to open spaces and wildlife, and can be avoided by making sure that cigarettes and barbecues are extinguished properly, and that glass bottles are disposed of carefully."

It took firefighters an hour to bring a grass fire the size of three football pitches on Mitcham Common under control yesterday, the biggest so far this year.

Source: http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568547/s/2ee602a2/l/0L0Stelegraph0O0Cearth0Cearthvideo0C10A1913710CHeatwave0Efirefighters0Ebattle0Espreading0Egrass0Efires0Ein0ELeytonstone0EEast0ELondon0Bhtml/story01.htm

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