A fire broke out in Shirley Hills, south London during a nationwide heatwave.
Flames and large plumes of smoke could be seen rising over the area near Croydon as temperatures reached highs of almost 40C in London and other parts of the UK.
London Fire Brigade was called at around 12.07pm and four fire engines and around 25 firefighters are currently tackling the blaze on Oaks Road.
Shirley Hills, also known as Addington Hills, is one of the largest parks in South London and consists mainly of woodland and heathland.
Shirley Hills covers 130 acres of land
(BBC News)
A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: “The recent hot and dry weather has made the ground extremely dry, which unfortunately means that pastures and parks will burn quickly when exposed to even the tiniest of sparks.
“Common causes of grass fires include carelessly discarded cigarettes or matches, as well as litter left behind, such as glass bottles, which can ignite flames by increasing the sun’s rays.
“Each of us can help reduce the risk of fire and keep our communities clean, ensure litter is disposed of safely and cigarettes are always disposed of correctly.
“If you see a grass fire, do not try to put it out yourself as grass fires can spread very quickly and change direction without warning. If you see signs of burning grass then call the brigade and let us know where the fire is.
Four other fire engines are also tackling a separate grass fire at Chapel View in South Croydon, where around one hectare of woodland is currently burning.
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