Eight fire engines have been sent to the incident, where around six hectares of grass are currently alight
Around 60 firefighters are tackling a large grass fire near South End Road in Hornchurch, Havering, East London. Eight fire engines have been sent to the incident, where around six hectares of grass are currently alight.
One of the London Fire Brigade’s Terrain Support Vehicles has also been deployed to support firefighting operations. The off-road vehicle allows additional equipment to be transported closer to fires on open ground. It carries around 475 litres of water, as well as a backpack blower, ear defenders, beaters and misting lance technology, enabling firefighters to tackle grass fires more quickly and safely.
The Brigade’s Control Officers took the first of seven calls reporting the fire at 1.18pm and mobilised crews from Dagenham, Hornchurch, Wennington and surrounding fire stations.
The cause of the fire is not known at this time.
Follow our live blog below for updates.
- Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters have been called to a grass fire near South End Road in Hornchurch.
- Around six hectares of grass are currently alight.
- Firefighters are continuing to work to extinguish the fire.
- The London Fire Brigade is urging people to avoid the area where possible while crews deal with the incident.
- Firefighters are using backpack blowers, which work like leaf blowers, to push flames back into already burnt areas as part of their wildfire firefighting tactics.
- One of the Brigade’s Terrain Support Vehicles has been deployed to support firefighting operations.
- The Terrain Support Vehicle provides off-road access, allowing additional equipment to be transported closer to the fire.
- The vehicle carries approximately 475 litres of water, along with a backpack blower, ear defenders, beaters and misting lance technology to help crews tackle grass fires more quickly and safely.
- The Brigade’s Control Officers received the first of seven emergency calls reporting the fire at 1.18pm.
- Fire crews from Dagenham, Hornchurch, Wennington and surrounding fire stations were mobilised to the incident.
- The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.
