Rainham and Greenford fires- Crews rush to extinguish separate blazes

 <i>(Image: London Fire Brigade)</i>
(Image: London Fire Brigade)
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Emergency services have battled two separate grass fires across London last night.

Around 40 firefighters and six fire engines were sent to a blaze near Berwick Pond Road, Rainham after control officers took the first of 19 calls at 7.18pm.

The fire damaged about four hectares of heathland, but no injuries were reported.

The fire was put out by 8.41pm.

A similar scene unfolded near Cowgate Road, Greenford in west London, where another 40 firefighters tackled a different blaze.

This fire, with control officers taking the first of 11 calls at 6.26pm, affected approximately an acre of trees, shrubbery, and grass.

Similarly, no injuries were reported, and the fire was extinguished by 7.48pm.

In both incidents, a terrain support vehicle was dispatched to help.

These vehicles provide off-road capability, bringing additional equipment closer to fires on open ground.

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They carry water, a backpack blower, ear defenders, beaters, and misting lance technology, which allows firefighters to pump water and drive at the same time.

The firefighters also used backpack blowers, which push flames back into already burnt areas.

The fires resulted in a total of 30 emergency calls.

Firefighters from Hornchurch, Dagenham, and Harold Hill, as well as crews from Wembley, Southall, and Northolt, were all involved in the firefighting efforts.

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