Latest news with #MattHayward
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Three wildfires burn in single evening in London
More than 200 firefighters tackled three separate grass fires in east London on Monday evening. Some residents in Dagenham were asked to temporarily leave their homes after eight hectares (20 acres) of grass, shrubland and trees, fences and garden furniture caught alight near Beam Parklands. Wildfire beaters were later used to tackle flames that destroyed an area of grassland near Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch, while firefighters brought a third fire under control at Walthamstow Marshes. The flames have been put out and the cause of the fires is under investigation, as London Fire Brigade (LFB) warns it could be a "challenging summer" due to warm and dry weather conditions. About 125 firefighters tackled the largest blaze in Dagenham, which came close to reaching neighbouring houses. Station commander Matt Hayward 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." Jets and wildfire beaters were used to stop flames reaching the properties, Mr Hayward said. LFB added that fire breaks installed by the local authority had been important in preventing the fire spreading to residential areas. The brigade said that while three such fires in one evening had been "a lot" for firefighters, it was not unheard of and that crews were preparing for more blazes like these. "All of our firefighters have been undergoing enhanced wildfire response training in preparation for what could be another challenging summer," LFB said. It has urged Londoners to act "responsibly" to prevent further fires. "As the weather has been so dry, it only takes a few sparks to lead to a fire spreading rapidly," an LFB spokesperson said. "In London, this is can be dangerous because so many of our green spaces lie close to homes and other properties." In particular, people are being reminded not to use disposable barbecues in parks or fields nor to use them on wooden decking in private areas. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Homes evacuated as grassfire tackled in Dagenham London Fire Brigade
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Dagenham wildfire and two other grass fires under investigation
More than two hundred firefighters tackled three separate grass fires in east London on Monday residents in Dagenham were asked to temporarily leave their homes after eight hectares (20 acres) of grass, shrubland and trees, fences and garden furniture caught alight near Beam beaters were later used to tackle flames that destroyed an area of grassland near Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch, while firefighters brought a third fire under control at Walthamstow flames have been put out and the causes of the fires are under investigation, as London Fire Brigade (LFB) warns it could be a "challenging summer" due to warm and dry weather conditions. About 125 firefighters tackled the largest incident in Dagenham, which came close to reaching neighbouring commander Matt Hayward 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. Jets and wildfire beaters were used to stop flames reaching the properties, Mr Hayward added that fire breaks installed by the local authority had been important in preventing the fire spreading to residential brigade said that while three such fires in one evening had been "a lot" for firefighters, it was not unheard of and that crews were preparing for more incidents like these."All of our firefighters have been undergoing enhanced wildfire response training in preparation for what could be another challenging summer," LFB has urged Londoners to act "responsibly" to prevent further incidents. "As the weather has been so dry, it only takes a few sparks to lead to a fire spreading rapidly," an LFB spokesperson London, this is can be dangerous because so many of our green spaces lie close to homes and other properties."In particular, people are being reminded not to use disposable barbecues in parks of fields or to use them on wooden decking in private areas.
Sky News
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Sky News
Homes evacuated as wildfire breaks out in east London
Several homes had to be evacuated in east London after a wildfire broke out on Monday. London Fire Brigade (LFB) confirmed that 20 fire engines and around 125 firefighters were called to the scene behind Clemence Road in Dagenham at 6.30pm. In a statement, LFB said eight hectares of grass, shrubland and trees were destroyed, and nearby residents were told to leave as a precaution. Footage captured by drones, and posted on X, showed the aftermath of the fire, with a large section of grassland turned to ash. Smoke could also be seen rising over still-smouldering areas where fire crews were continuing to spray water. Station Commander Matt Hayward said: "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. "We also thank Barking and Dagenham Council who had put fire breaks in place, which helped stop the fire from reaching the properties." A wildfire response vehicle, with specialist equipment to quickly tackle fire on open ground, was deployed. Two additional grass fire incidents also required LFB resources on Monday night in different parts of the capital. Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called at 8.10pm to a grass fire near Wingletye Lane in Hornchurch. Crews used beaters to extinguish the flames. Around eight hectares of grassland were destroyed there. Meanwhile, a third grass fire on Walthamstow Marshes in northeast London reported at 8.55pm saw LFB deploy eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters. In that incident, three hectares of grassland were destroyed. While no details were given about the potential cause of the fire, LFB warned that "it only takes a few sparks to lead to a fire spreading rapidly". A spokesperson said in a statement: "If you're heading out, please don't take a disposable BBQ with you. Also make sure you are discarding of cigarettes properly and take rubbish home with you if no bins are available. "At home, make sure your BBQ is positioned away from flammable items like fences, sheds, decking and trees and please don't have any type of BBQ on your balcony. "We're also strongly advising people to avoid burning any waste in this type of weather and to not have bonfires, particularly in their gardens."
The Independent
15-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Residents evacuated from homes as 125 firefighters battle wildfire
Residents have been temporarily evacuated from their homes after a wildfire broke out in East London on Monday evening. Around 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines were used to bring the blaze near Clemence Road, Dagenham under control, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said. LFB added that the fire had covered approximately eight hectares of grass and shrubland. While fences, sheds and garden furniture were damaged, firefighters successfully prevented the blaze from spreading to homes in the area. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Station commander Matt Hayward 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. '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. 'Firefighters will remain at the scene for the next few hours to continue to dampen down the surrounding area.' One of four wildfire response vehicles currently being trialled by LFB was deployed to the incident. The vehicles, which have off-road capabilities, enabling equipment to be brought closer to fires on open ground and allow firefighters to pump water and drive, making tackling grass fires quicker and safer. More than 75 calls were received from 6.30pm on Monday regarding the incident, with the fire brought under control by 9.46pm.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Residents evacuated from homes as 125 firefighters battle wildfire
Residents have been temporarily evacuated from their homes after a wildfire broke out in East London on Monday evening. Around 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines were used to bring the blaze near Clemence Road, Dagenham under control, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said. LFB added that the fire had covered approximately eight hectares of grass and shrubland. While fences, sheds and garden furniture were damaged, firefighters successfully prevented the blaze from spreading to homes in the area. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Station commander Matt Hayward 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. '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. 'Firefighters will remain at the scene for the next few hours to continue to dampen down the surrounding area.' One of four wildfire response vehicles currently being trialled by LFB was deployed to the incident. The vehicles, which have off-road capabilities, enabling equipment to be brought closer to fires on open ground and allow firefighters to pump water and drive, making tackling grass fires quicker and safer. More than 75 calls were received from 6.30pm on Monday regarding the incident, with the fire brought under control by 9.46pm.
