LFB attends 1,300 incidents over weekend hot spell

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it was called to more than 1,300 incidents across the capital during another spell of hot weather over the weekend.

These included a grass fire that destroyed 10 acres in Rainham in east London, a hectare of grassland alight in Croydon, and fires at flats, homes, sheds, a bakery and a storage unit.

The Brigade's fire boat crews also rescued a person in the River Thames near Battersea Pier, south London.

The service said it handled a total of 2,729 emergency calls between Friday and Sunday, and firefighters attended 1,345 incidents across London.

LFB assistant commissioner Pam Oparaocha said the service was ready to respond to emergencies from wildfires to water rescues.

"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," she added.

The fire service is again warning people not to use disposable barbecues in parks, to dispose of cigarettes properly, take litter home or put it in bins, and use barbecues at home carefully away from anything that could burn.

The Brigade is also urging parents, carers and teachers to speak to children and young people about the dangers of open water.

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