Firefighters tackled a grass fire in south London as the capital remains on course for yet another heatwave.
An amber heat health alert has been issued and the London Fire Brigade has warned people to take extra care amid the dry conditions.
Around 70 firefighters and ten fire engines were deployed to the scene of the blaze in Woolwich after receiving dozens of calls from the public.
Five hectares of grass and shrubland were alight early on Tuesday afternoon.
The flames were brought under control just before 1.30pm, the LFB said.
A spokesperson for the fire brigade said: “Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters responded to a grass fire near Shrapnel Close in Woolwich.
“Around two hectares of grass and shrublands were alight at the fires height.
“Crews used backpack blowers, which work just like leaf blowers. They allow firefighters to push flames back into already burnt areas. This is a tactic that provides a faster, more efficient attack on wildfires. Wildfire beaters are also being used. The beater is made of a long handle with a flat piece of rubber at the end. They’re used to beat the flames, which deprives them of oxygen and cools them down.
“The Brigade's Control Officers took the first of nearly 30 calls to the fire at 1127 and sent fire crews from East Greenwich, Eltham, Plumstead, Greenwich and surrounding fire stations to the scene. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control by 1307.
“The cause of the fire is not known at this time.”
Some parts of the UK have seen as many as four heatwaves already this summer and London could record fifth heatwave on Tuesday.
There could be some clouds over the capital, with the sunshine turning hazy into the afternoon. But overall, the forecast suggests another dry, but humid day for Londoners.
If the mercury exceeds 28C on Tuesday, as is forecast, London will officially be amidst its fifth heatwave of the year.
A heatwave is declared when there is a period of at least three consecutive days where the daily maximum temperature reaches or exceeds a certain threshold, which in London is 28C.
On Sunday, temperatures hit a peak of 28.6C in parts of London, while a reading of 30.7C was recorded in Northolt by midday on Monday.
An amber heat health remains in place until Wednesday at 9am when the temperature is expected to drop to a maximum of 25C.
The amber alert means significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those ages 65 and over or with health conditions.
The Met Office declared on Friday that England and Wales experienced its driest July since records began, while London is currently experiencing its worst drought in decades.
Experts warn that much-needed rainfall may not arrive in the UK until October.
Parts of the capital such as Heathrow have gone as long as 41 days without a downpour, tracking back to June 23.
Such conditions have heightened wildfire risk, led to water shortages and seen around 23 million people across the UK placed under a hosepipe ban.
Dozens of firefighters tackled a huge blaze on grassland in outer London on Monday afternoon.
