London Fire Brigade tackles serious grass fire in west London

Image above: Fire at Hereford Rd, Feltham; photograph London Fire Brigade

Residents evacuated as around 30 houses are saved

As the Met Office forecasts more hot weather this week, with temperatures in the mid 30s and “little meaningful rain”, London Fire Brigade is warning of the dangers of grass fires and the speed at which they spread.

Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to a fire on Hereford Road in Feltham on Sunday (7 August), where trees, undergrowth and decking were alight at the rear of properties. They evacuated around 60 people and managed to save some 30 homes from the fire.

Station Commander Tamer Ozdemir said firefighters had “worked incredibly hard in hot, arduous conditions” to stop the fire spreading.

Image above: Fire at Hereford Rd, Feltham; photograph London Fire Brigade

London Fire Brigade issues video showing the speed at which a grass fire spreads

The fire brigade published a video to make people aware how quickly grass fires can spread in the dry conditions. Last month was the driest July in southern England since records began in 1836.

In the past few days they have also been called to grass fires in Upminster and Newbury Park.

“This is what our crews have faced frequently in recent weeks. Help to prevent grass fires – don’t BBQ in parks & dispose of cigarettes & glass properly.”

If you wondered what it's like to be close to a grass fire, take a look at this video showing just how quickly they can spread. This is what our crews have faced frequently in recent weeks. Help to prevent grass fires – don't BBQ in parks & dispose of cigarettes & glass properly pic.twitter.com/3HmQtywrWa

— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) August 4, 2022

Campaign to ban sale of disposable barbecues

London Fire Brigade is reminding people not to throw away cigarettes on grass and not to leave glass on the ground. They are campaigning to get the sale of disposable barbecues banned.

The Brigade is backing a petition set up by Toby Tyler whose son Will was severely burned by a disposable barbecue.

London’s Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said:

“Despite our grass fire warnings, we’ve still seen some people behaving carelessly and recklessly.

“We need urgent action now to see a national ban on the sale of disposable barbecues. They can be bought for as little as five pounds and can cause untold damage, especially when the grass is as dry as it has been over the last few weeks.

“Last week is another example of how we are increasingly being challenged by new extremes of weather as our climate changes and we’re developing long-term strategies to deal with more incidents like this in the future.”

The petition can be found here petition.parliament.uk

Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar

See also: Flat fire in Shepherd’s Bush

See also: Alex Belfield found guilty of stalking Jeremy Vine and three others

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