A significant swathe of Wanstead Flats in Leytonstone caught fire this afternoon.A significant swathe of Wanstead Flats in Leytonstone caught fire this afternoon.

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters spent just under two hours - from 1.09pm to 3.07pm - getting the blaze under control.Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters spent just under two hours - from 1.09pm to 3.07pm - getting the blaze under control.

While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, the London Fire Brigade has warned residents to avoid barbecuing in open spaces and avoid dropping cigarettes or pieces of glass that can start fires.While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, the London Fire Brigade has warned residents to avoid barbecuing in open spaces and avoid dropping cigarettes or pieces of glass that can start fires.

Around four hectares of grassland was burned by thankfully there were no reports of any injuries.Around four hectares of grassland was burned by thankfully there were no reports of any injuries.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Crews worked incredibly hard to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby properties. A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Crews worked incredibly hard to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby properties.

"Although the temperature has dropped, grasslands will still be extremely dry. "Although the temperature has dropped, grasslands will still be extremely dry.

"We don’t want people to be complacent and that means avoiding barbecuing in parks and open spaces, ensuring cigarettes are properly disposed of and clearing away rubbish and glass as they can magnify the sun and cause a fire.”"We don’t want people to be complacent and that means avoiding barbecuing in parks and open spaces, ensuring cigarettes are properly disposed of and clearing away rubbish and glass as they can magnify the sun and cause a fire.”