Two more fires have torn through outdoor spaces in London amid the “extreme” wildfires warning for the capital. A blaze destroyed six gardens in Bellingham, Lewisham, in south-east London on Monday, while a separate fire destroyed an outbuilding and large area of grass at a hotel in Rainham, Havering, in east London.
Firefighters Respond to Blazes
Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters responded to the fire on Berwick Pond Road, Rainham, on Monday afternoon. The fire involved a brick outbuilding at the commercial property, which failed structurally due to the heat, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said. Crews worked to safely cool a number of cylinders exposed to increased heat and extinguish an area of open ground that had caught fire. The Brigade was first called at 12:59 pm and battled the blaze along with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. Firefighters had the incident under control by 3:54 pm.
In Bellingham, six fire engines and around 40 firefighters responded to the fire on Newquay Road, which also started in the afternoon. The fire was located at the rear of two adjoining residential streets, involving the gardens of six properties on Newquay Road and four properties on Arran Road. One shed, lengths of fencing, and shrubbery were destroyed. The Brigade received the first of 20 calls reporting the fire at 1:34 pm, and it was under control by 3:10 pm. The cause of both fires is not yet known.
Urgent Warning for Londoners
Fire chiefs have urged Londoners to create firebreaks around their gardens in the face of an increased threat of wildfires. The guidance comes after large blazes erupted over the weekend, including in Walthamstow and Stratford. The Walthamstow fire devastated a home and gardens by a rail line. The LFB warned of the “extreme” risk of wildfires, urging residents to take precautions to protect their properties and green spaces.
