As the warm weather continues, London Fire Brigade had another busy weekend, with Control Officers handling 2,729 emergency calls between Friday and Sunday, while firefighters attended 1,345 incidents across the capital*.
Saturday was the Brigade's busiest day, with Control Officers taking 1,122 calls and crews responding to 473 incidents. These included a large fire at a block of flats in Mitcham and a grass fire which destroyed 10 acres in Rainham.
Other incidents attended over the weekend included:
- Four fire engines responding to a basement fire in Aldwych
- Around one hectare of grassland alight in Croydon
- Forty firefighters tackling a fire at a bakery in Dollis Hill
- A flat fire in Tower Hamlets
- Six fire engines responding to a flat fire in Shepherd's Bush
- Forty firefighters attending a fire at a detached property in Highgate
- A house fire in Mill Hill
- A shed fire on Shaftesbury Avenue
- A grass fire involving around an acre of brushland in Hornchurch
- A fire at a storage unit in Hanwell
- A flat fire in Stratford
- The Brigade’s fire boat crews rescued a person in the Thames near Battersea Pier
With more hot weather forecast over the coming days, the Brigade is urging Londoners to help prevent incidents by taking extra care when visiting parks, open spaces and waterways.
Assistant Commissioner Pam Oparaocha said: "This weekend was another busy period for our firefighters, Control Officers and logistics staff, and I'd like to thank them for their dedication and professionalism in keeping Londoners safe.
"Throughout this period of hot weather, we are continually monitoring demand and deploying our resources where they are needed most so that we're ready to respond to emergencies across London. Our specialist Terrain Support Vehicles are prepared to tackle grass and wildfire incidents, while our water rescue teams remain ready to respond to emergencies across London's 370-miles of waterways.
"While we are fully prepared to respond, we need everyone to play their part in helping to prevent incidents. Wildfires in particular can spread rapidly, require significant resources and have devastating consequences for people, properties, wildlife and the environment. Wildfires can also have a lasting impact on the health of Londoners because of the smoke plumes that they produce.
"If you're heading to a park or open space to enjoy the sunshine, please don't take a disposable barbecue with you. Even after they have been extinguished, they can retain heat for many hours and pose a serious fire risk. Please also dispose of smoking materials responsibly and either use the bins provided or take your litter home if there are none available.
"If you're having a barbecue at home, never use one on a balcony. Position it well away from fences, sheds and other combustible materials, and avoid placing it on wooden decking."
With the summer holidays now underway, the Brigade is also urging parents, carers and teachers to speak to children and young people about the dangers of open water.
Assistant Commissioner Oparaocha continued: "In warm weather, it can be tempting for children and young people to cool off in rivers, reservoirs and lakes, but open water can be extremely dangerous.
"Many people don't realise that beneath what appears to be calm water there can be strong currents, hidden objects, steep drop-offs and extreme temperature variations that could cause cold-water shock, all of which can have fatal consequences.
"If you're planning to swim outdoors, only do so at designated swimming locations where lifeguards and appropriate safety equipment are present."
What to do if you get into difficulty in the water
Rather than struggling, remember to Float to Live:
- Tilt your head back with your ears submerged and gently move your hands to help keep yourself afloat.
- Spread your arms and legs. It's OK if your legs sink.
- Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.
*Between 00:00 Friday 24 July and 23:59 Sunday 26 July London Fire Brigade Control Officers took 2,729 calls and firefighters attended 1,345 incidents.
- Friday 24 July – 794 calls and 427 incidents
- Saturday 25 July – 1,122 calls and 473 incident
- Sunday 26 July – 813 calls and 445 incidents