Rainham fire: Dozens of firefighters descend battle blaze as 'grey smoke fills the air'

Some 80 firefighters spent hours tackling a huge grass fire in east London today.

Around ten hectares of grass and shrubland were destroyed in the blaze in the Rainham area. Firefighters remain at the scene to dampen down the surrounding grassland.. Grasslands are prone to fires amid hotweather and temperatures are thought to have exceeded 30C in the capital today.

One witness said: "It’s huge. We just walked out and there was grey smoke filling the air. None of us got too close." Photographs shared by the witness show plumes of smoke billow from the grassland, said to have been near Ingrebourne Hill. Other images show the fields destroyed as a result of the flames.

"A wildfire response vehicle was deployed at the incident. These vehicles provide off-road capability enabling the transportation of additional equipment closer to fires on open ground," a spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said.

"Each vehicle carries approximately 475 litres of water, a backpack blower, ear defenders, beaters and misting lance technology, which allows firefighters to pump water and drive, enabling them to tackle grass fires more quickly and safely. The brigade is currently trialling four wildfire response vehicles across the capital."

READ MORE: Lewisham fire: Tragedy as boy with 'great heart' dies after flames tear through flats

The spokesperson continued: "The Brigade was called at 1451 and the Brigade's Control Office mobilised crews from Wennington, East Ham, Leytonstone, Hainault and other surrounding Fire Stations to the scene. The fire was under control by 1821. The cause of the fire is under investigation."

Wildfires can destroy homes and gardens. Hot embers, carried by the wind, can travel very far and start new fires a long way from the original wildfire. Wildfires are also very unpredictable, and difficult to manage.

But the firefighters tackled the blaze in Rainham before it could become out of control. The witness, speaking to the Evening Standard, said the response was prompt, just when smoke was beginning to gather. It could be seen for miles across east London and parts of Essex, according to social media users. An investigation has now been launched into how the fire started.

Extreme weather conditions mean there’s a growing threat of grass fires and wildfires in London, and other major cities. Wildfire response vehicles can reach wildfires quickly. They also provide closer support for firefighters on terrain that our larger and heavier appliances can’t reach.

By removing anything flammable at home, like dry grass or piles of rubbish, you’re removing fuel for any wildfires. Consider cutting back trees and shrubs that are close to your home. Dispose of your garden waste responsibly, London Fire Brigade recommends.

The service tackled a fire at a block of flats in Lewisham, southeast London, earlier this week, where a 12-year-old boy died. Tributes have since been paid to gifted footballer Fabian Henry.