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Residents are being evacuated as 20 fire engines and around 125 firefighters battle an eight-hectare wildfire in London.
Shrubland, trees, fences and garden furniture are burning behind Clemence Road in Dagenham with locals nearby ordered to leave their homes.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has advised residents to keep their doors and windows shut due to the smoke and the public is being told to avoid the area due to road closures.
The Brigade’s Control Office took the first of over 75 calls at 6.30pm and the fire was ‘under control’ by 9.46pm. Fire crews from Dagenham, Hornchurch, Wennington, Romford and other surrounding fire stations are at the scene.
A wildfire response vehicle has been deployed as well as wildfire beaters.
Striking footage shows charred remains of the vast expanse of once-green land as plumes of smoke billow into the sky towards nearby houses.
The LFB says it is now making ‘steady progress’ at the fire and residents have been able to return to their properties with caution.
Firefighter Craig Fenner said: ‘Firefighters worked extremely hard to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby properties.
‘The fire had reached some garden fences, sheds and garden furniture. As well as our jets, we used wildfire beaters to beat the flames and stop them from reaching the properties.
‘Firefighters will remain at the scene for the next few hours to continue to dampen down the surrounding area.’
Station commander Matt Hayward added: ‘We also thank Barking and Dagenham Council who had put fire breaks in place, which helped stop the fire from reaching the properties.
‘We also had great support from our blue light colleagues, Essex Fire and Rescue Service and the London Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team.’
The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.
