A fierce wildfire erupted on Wanstead Flats in north-east London, drawing a massive emergency response as Britain braces for what could be its fourth heatwave of the summer.
Shortly after reports flooded in on Monday afternoon, 60 firefighters raced to the scene where around three hectares of grassland had caught alight. Multiple flare-ups spread across the parched open space, prompting crews to battle several pockets of fire at once.
A drone was deployed to track the scale of the blaze, while residents nearby were told to keep windows and doors shut and to steer clear of the area.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it received more than 30 calls from the public as the smoke billowed over the capital. Firefighters from Leytonstone, Stratford, Leyton and surrounding stations were mobilised, bringing ten fire engines and a dedicated wildfire response unit.
By 7.58pm, the blaze was brought under control, though crews remained at the site to dampen down hotspots and ensure no flare-ups.
Just last month, the same location saw an even larger fire, when 70 firefighters were called out to tackle flames that tore through 14 acres of grassland near Capel Road in Manor Park on 11 July.
Forecasters warn the coming days could push temperatures higher than in Bali, with readings expected to hit the mid-30s on Tuesday.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat health warnings across England. The East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, and the South East are now under an amber alert from 9am Tuesday until 6pm Wednesday.
The South West, Yorkshire and the Humber, North West, and North East remain under yellow warnings for the same period. Authorities warn of “significant impacts” on health and social care services, with the elderly and those with existing conditions most at risk.
If the mercury stays high for three consecutive days, the Met Office says it would meet the official threshold for a heatwave. This would mark the fourth such event in the UK this summer — a stark sign of the relentless heat gripping the country.
With bone-dry grasslands and rising temperatures, fire crews remain on high alert. The public is being urged to take extra care, avoid barbecues in open spaces, and report any signs of fire immediately.
