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A major grass fire near Wingletye Lane in Hornchurch scorched through eight hectares of dry grassland on Monday evening as eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were deployed to contain the fast-spreading blaze.

The London Fire Brigade was called at 8:10pm, mobilising crews from Barking, Kentish Town, Soho, and nearby stations. The fire was declared under control by 10:31pm, though the damage to the green space was extensive.

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Wildfire Tactics in Action

Specialist wildfire beaters—tools with long handles and rubber flaps—were used to suffocate flames and reduce heat, a method designed to starve wildfires of oxygen.

"All of our firefighters have been undergoing enhanced wildfire response training in preparation for what could be another challenging summer," a London Fire Brigade spokesperson said.

"All Brigade officers are now trained in fire tactics for dealing with wildfires and fires at the urban-rural interface. This is another example of how we are adapting to new and emerging risks."

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Safety Advisory

Residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed due to heavy smoke in the area.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is not yet known and remains under investigation.