Grass fire – Orpington

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a grass fire on Waldens Road in Orpington. 

Six hundred metres square of grass and woodland were alight. There were no reports of any injuries.

The Brigade was called at 1446 and the fire was under control by 1615. Fire crews from Orpington and Sidcup fire stations attended the scene, along with crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.

If you see a grass fire, don't attempt to put it out yourself as grass fires can travel very quickly and change direction without warning. Call the fire Brigade and let us know where the fire is.

Brigade top tips on Grass fires:

Causes

• The most common causes of grass fires are discarded cigarettes, which if thrown from a car window can ignite dry grass verges
• Another common way that these fires start is from glass bottles which can concentrate the suns rays onto dry grass and shrubbery

Precautions

• Never leave camp fires or barbeques unattended and extinguish them properly after you have finished using them
• Clear away bottles, glasses and any broken glass to avoid them magnifying the sun and starting a fire
• Dispose of smoking materials such as cigarettes safely
• Explain to children the dangers of playing with and lighting fires