Heatwave Fires

[Messyshaw]

LONDON’S BURNING

• 6 x 4 pump fires
• 4 x 6s
• 4 x 10s
• 2 x 12s
• 2 x 15s
• 1 x 20
• 1 x 30
• (2 x Major Incidents)

Even with mutual aid, some calls were not fully resourced. For example, the LFB only mustered 4 pumps to a 10PF

DETAILS

00:57

(19/7)

F39   HORNCHURCH

FIFTEEN   PUMP PERSONS REPORTED FIRE, AERIAL REQUIRED

STOP TIME:   07:46

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 16

DRAPER   COURT, MAVIS GROVE, HORNCHURCH

An assisted living block of three floors, sixty   metres by sixty metres.  A range of three roomed flats on the second   floor – two flats one hundred percent damaged by fire, three further flats   fifteen percent damaged by fire - thirty percent of roof damaged by   fire.  Five police officers and one elderly male suffering smoke   inhalation, one elderly female suffering back injury removed by London   Ambulance Service.  Fifty one residents evacuated by police,  Two   jets, two hose reels, aerial monitor, breathing apparatus, stage two entry control,   gas detection monitor, thermal imaging camera, mobile data terminal, drone,   level two salvage.  All persons accounted for.

08:34

A24 SOHO

FOUR PUMP   FIRE

STOP TIME:   10:52

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 2

OXFORD   CIRCUS STATION, OXFORD STREET, W1

Smoke issuing from northbound Victoria line   escalator caused by overheating main brake pads. No more elevated readings   identified by breathing apparatus crews.  No fire apparent. Crews stood   by monitoring decreasing temperature to ambient conditions of affected   equipment.  Breathing apparatus, thermal imaging camera, mobile data   terminal for hydrant location.

09:22

A36   SOUTHGATE

TEN PUMP   PERSONS REPORTED FIRE RESCUE UNIT AND 2 X 32M TURNTABLE  LADDER

STOP TIME:   20:06

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 19

GREEN   LANES, N13

A mid terrace restaurant of one floor, eleven   metres by twenty-two metres, one hundred percent damaged by fire. One adult   female aged forty three years, conscious and breathing, suffering shock, left   premises before arrival of Brigade, treated and removed. Two members of   Brigade suffering effects of heat, one treated on scene and one   removed.  Twenty breathing apparatus, thirty-two metre turntable ladder   as water tower, four jets, two hose reels, thermal imaging camera, gas   detection monitor, respirators, water relay, stage two entry control.    All persons accounted for

09:34

F30   LEYTONSTONE

FOUR PUMP   GRASS FIRE

STOP TIME:   12:13

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 19

GREEN MAN   ROUNDABOUT, E11

A grassland park of one hundred metres by three   hundred metres damaged by fire. Two jets, two hose reels, thermal imaging   camera and mobile data terminal

11:23

F39   HORNCHURCH

THIRTY   PUMP GRASS FIRE, PERSONS REPORTED,CYLINDERS REPORTED, FRU X 1, HOSELAYER X 1,   HVP X 1

STOP TIME:   17:44

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 99

PEA LANE,   UPMINSTER

Fifteen hectares of standing crops damaged by   fire. Two hundred members of the public evacuated from caravan site by   Metropolitan Police Service. Sixty mixed sized LPG cylinders involved,   removed to safe area. Four jets, four hose reels, mobile data terminal,   thermal imaging camera, drone team, National Police Air Service, Essex FRS   water bowser.

11:30

A40 HENDON

SIX PUMP   GRASS FIRE, HOSELAYER REQUIRED

STOP TIME:   14:54

NUMBER OF CALLS:   45

SUNNY HILL   PARK, SUNNINGFIELDS CRESCENT, NW4

Two areas of parkland - sector north   approximately three hectares of grass, shrubbery and trees one hundred   percent damaged by fire - sector south, approximately one hectare of grass, shrubbery   and trees one hundred percent damaged by fire. Four jets, two hose reels,   thermal imaging camera, gas detection monitor, respirators and mobile data   terminal.

12:07

H28   WOODSIDE

EIGHT PUMP   GRASS FIRE

STOP TIME:   15:47

NUMBER OF CALLS:   11

OAKS ROAD,   CROYDON

One hectare of woodland damaged by fire. One   ground monitor, one 70mm jet, two 45mm jets, two hose reels, water back   packs, beaters, half masks and gas detection monitors.

12:59

G21 HARROW

TWELVE   PUMP GRASS FIRE

STOP   TIME:15:14

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 18

THE   AVENUE, PINNER

A range of gardens and railway land at rear of several properties on The Avenue, one hundred percent damaged by fire. Three jets, two hose reels and mobile data terminal.

13:06

F40   WENNINGTON

FIFTEEN   PUMP PERSONS REPORTED FIRE, HIGH VOLUME PUMP REQUIRED.  MAJOR INCIDENT

ISTOP TIME:   01:48

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 19

THE GREEN,   WENNINGTON

An area of forty hectares, one hundred percent   damaged by fire.  Two detached houses, five metres by eight metres, one   hundred percent damaged by fire.  Two semi-detached houses, five metres   by eight metres, one hundred percent damaged by fire.  Four terraced   houses in Kent View, five metres by eight metres, one hundred percent damaged   by fire.  Two outbuildings, four metres by three metres, one hundred   percent damaged by fire.  Six single storey garages at rear of houses in   Kent View, forty metres by five metres, one hundred percent damaged by   fire.  Five terraced houses in Marine Cottages, five metres by eight   metres, one hundred percent damaged by fire.  A further three terraced   houses in Marine Cottages, seventy five percent damaged by fire. Detached manor   house, ten metres by eight metres, one hundred percent damaged by fire.    Twelve stables and five cars one hundred percent damaged by fire.    Eighty eight properties evacuated.  Forty five members of the public   self evacuated and in care of Metropolitan Police and Local Authority in a   refuge area.  One firefighter , seven members of the public and one   police officer treated on scene by London Ambulance Service due to heat   exhaustion. Gas and electric supplies isolated to affected properties.    Six jets, two hose reels, two ground monitors, high volume pump, drone team,   major lighting unit.  All persons not yet accounted for

13:48

F41   DAGENHAM

TEN PUMP   FIRE

STOP TIME:

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 16

BEAM   VALLEY COUNTRY PARK, OVAL ROAD NORTH, DAGENHAM

Linked incident to 110945 – stop details as 15   pump fire & major incident

14:09

G30   WEMBLEY

TWELVE   PUMP FIRE, CYLINDERS REPORTED

STOP TIME:   20:56

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 43

THE   BROADWAY, WEMBLEY

A range of shops and dwellings of one and three   floors and outbuildings, forty metres by ten metres.  One shop fifty   percent damaged by fire. Adjacent shop eighty percent damaged by fire.    One hundred percent of outbuildings damaged by fire.  One motor vehicle   one hundred percent damaged by fire.  Two further motor vehicles twenty   five percent damaged by fire.  One member of Brigade with injury to   knee, one with injury to lower back and two suffering effects of heat   exhaustion, all treated on scene by London Ambulance Service.  Fifty   members of public evacuated from shops and dwelling before arrival of Brigade   by Metropolitan Police.  Twenty three members of public displaced from   properties affected by fire. Duty left with local authority.  Eight   jets, four hose reels, stage 2 breathing apparatus, thermal imaging camera,   mobile data terminal.  Seventeen cylinders involved, cooled and removed.

14:15

F41   DAGENHAM

FIFTEEN   PUMP FIRE, CYLINDERS REPORTED. MAJOR INCIDENT

STOP TIME:   22:40

NUMBER OF CALLS:   79

BALLARDS   ROAD, DAGENHAM

A range of semi detached houses  of two   floors in Stratford Close, thirty two metres by five metres, one hundred   percent damaged by fire.  A semi-detached house of two floors in Boleyn   Gardens, five metres by eight metres, fifty percent of external fascia   damaged by fire.  A semi-detached house of two floors in Beech Gardens,   five metres by eight metres, thirty percent of external fascia damaged by   fire.  A range of semi-detached houses of two floors in Farm Close,   fifty metres by eight metres, one hundred percent damaged by fire.  A   further semi-detached house of two floors in Farm Close, five metres by eight   metres, twenty five percent of fascia damaged by fire.  Parkland   measuring eight hectares,  forty percent damaged by fire.  Twenty   five motor vehicles one hundred percent damaged by fire.  One male and   one female both aged eighty-nine years, conscious and breathing, suffering   effects of smoke inhalation treated and removed by London Ambulance   Service.  Two Metropolitan Police officers and six Brigade personnel   treated on scene by London Ambulance Service suffering effects of heat   exhaustion.  One firefighter, conscious and breathing, removed by London   Ambulance Service suffering heat exhaustion.  One hundred and thirty   five members of the public evacuated to a local rest area.  Two 6kg acetylene   cylinders cooled to ambient temperature.  Three ground monitors, four   hose reels, two turntable ladders as water towers, breathing apparatus, stage   two entry control, thermal imaging camera, water relay, cylinder procedure   implemented.

14:24

E30 ELTHAM

SIX PUMP   FIRE

STOP TIME:   15:54

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 5

SIDCUP   ROAD, ELTHAM

Shop and dwellings of three floors, fifteen   metres by twenty five metres.  Fifty percent of ground floor damaged by   fire. Three jets, two hose reels, breathing apparatus, mobile data terminal   and thermal imaging camera.

14:39

G23   HILLINGDON

TEN PUMP   GRASS FIRE

STOP   TIME:06:00

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 36

WESTERN   AVENUE, UXBRIDGE

An area of farmland of approximately seven   hectares damaged by fire. Isolated pockets and fallen trees remain alight.   One firefighter suffering heat exhaustion, treated on scene by London   Ambulance Service. Three jets, two hose reels, two Royal Air Force water   bowsers, one Berkshire Fire Service 4x4, water backpacks, thermal imaging   camera, water shuttle, mobile data terminal for mapping, cutting gear.

15:29

A34   EDMONTON

EIGHT PUMP   GRASS FIRE

STOP TIME:   18:55

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 48

MONTAGU   RECREATION GROUND, MONTAGU ROAD, N9

A park of approximately four hectares, thirty   percent of grassland damaged by fire.  One jet, two hose reels, thermal   imaging camera, mobile data terminal for hydrant location

16:17

G21 HARROW

TEN PUMP   PERSONS REPORTED FIRE, AERIAL REQUIRED

STOP TIME:   21:42

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 106

CHURCHILL   HALL, HAWTHORNE AVENUE, HARROW

A disused church hall and car wash of three, one   and two floors, fifty metres by fifteen metres, one hundred percent damaged   by fire.  Two semi-detached houses of two floors, thirty metres by ten   metres, one hundred percent damaged by fire.  Two further houses five   percent damaged by fire. One house in Kenton Road five percent damaged by   fire.  Nine motor vehicles one hundred percent damaged by fire.    One 25kg propane cylinder cooled and removed.  One adult male   approximately twenty-five years of age, removed suffering twenty percent   burns.  Eight firefighters treated on scene for heat exhaustion.    One further firefighter treated and removed suffering heat exhaustion.    One ground monitor, four jets, four hose reels, turntable ladder for water   tower, breathing apparatus, stage two entry control, thermal imaging camera,   gas detection monitor, half masks.  All persons accounted for

16:25

F35   WOODFORD

SIX PUMP   GRASS FIRE

STOP TIME:   21:57

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 48

CLAYBURY   PARK, RODING LANE NORTH, WOODFORD GREEN

An area of eight acres of park, woods and   scrubland, approximately two acres in various locations damaged by   fire.  Four jets, water back packs.

17:20

F36   WALTHAMSTOW

SIX PUMP   PERSONS REPORTED FIRE.

STOP TIME:   19:53

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 23

GRANGE   ROAD, E17

Flats of three and four floors, thirty metres by   fifteen metres.  A five roomed flat on the first floor one hundred   percent of flat and external balcony damaged by fire. A five roomed flat on   the second floor one hundred percent of flat and balcony damaged by   fire.  A five roomed flat on the third floor ten percent of flat and   external fascia damaged by fire.  One adult male rescued from a first   floor flat by short extension ladder, declined treatment.  One male   child self presented suffering smoke inhalation, removed for precautionary   check.  Forty residents evacuated and in care of local authority and   Metropolitan Police.  Fire survival call downgraded before arrival of   Brigade,  Two jets, two hose reels, eight breathing apparatus, thermal   imaging camera.  All persons accounted for.

17:41

F39   HORNCHURCH

FOUR PUMP   GRASS FIRE

STOP   TIME:19:14

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 9

SUTTONS   LANE, HORNCHURCH

Two separate areas of grassland each measuring   one hectare, one hundred percent damaged by fire. Four hose reels, water   backpacks, beaters, water shuttle by Essex appliance.

18:33

E27 ERITH

TWENTY   PUMP PERSONS REPORTED FIRE, HOSE LAYER REQUIRED

STOP TIME:   02:53

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 22

RAY LAMB   WAY, ERITH

Approximately five hectares of grassland and   bushes damaged by fire. Two commercial warehouses twenty five metres by   thirty metres, one hundred percent damaged by fire. One commercial warehouse   forty metres by twenty metres, thirty percent damaged by fire. Fifteen people   rescued by Brigade crews using fire escape hoods. A further thirteen people   led to safety by Brigade crews, left in care of Metropolitan Police.    One ground monitor, four jets, two hose reels, water relay, AFFF foam, stage   two breathing apparatus, extended duration breathing apparatus, fire escape   hoods, drone. All persons accounted for.

19:23

H43   TWICKENHAM

FOUR PUMP   GRASS FIRE

STOP TIME:   21:46

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 64

STAINES   ROAD, TWICKENHAM

Approximately two hectares of trees and   undergrowth damaged by fire. Four high pressure hose reels, one forty-five   millimetre jet, mobile data terminal, thermal imaging camera.

19:33

G22   STANMORE

EIGHT PUMP   FIRE, CYLINDERS INVOLVED

STOP TIME:   21:59

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 25

BURGESS   AVENUE, NW9

A row of five semi-detached houses.    Property one - an outbuilding two metres by two metres, one hundred percent   damaged by fire, six fence panels damaged by fire.   Property two –   trees, shrubbery and fence panels damaged by fire. Property three – one   outbuilding eighty percent damaged by fire. Property four – one outbuilding   two metres by three metres one hundred percent damaged by fire, six fence   panels damaged by fire. Property five – trees and shrubbery damaged by fire.   One 15 kg propane cylinder removed, cooled to ambient temperature. A range of   industrial properties to the rear, fifty metres by twenty metres, thirty   percent of external sandwich panels damaged by fire. Four jets, two hose   reels, eight breathing apparatus wearers from London Fire Brigade and four   breathing apparatus wearers from Hertfordshire Fire Service,  thermal   imaging camera, gas detection monitor.

20:57

F41   DAGENHAM

EIGHT PUMP   FIRE

STOP TIME:   00:27

NUMBER OF CALLS:   50

BEAM   VALLEY COUNTRY PARK, OVAL ROAD NORTH, DAGENHAM

Approximately three hectares of grass and shrubs   damaged by fire. Two jets, one hose reel, beaters, water backpacks, one off   road vehicle from Essex Fire and Rescue Service.

21:03

F42 ILFORD

SIX PUMP   FIRE, AERIAL REQUIRED.  LEVEL 2 HAZMAT

STOP TIME:   23:12

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 9

FAUNA   CLOSE, CHADWELL HEATH

A semi-detached house of two floors, five metres   by eight metres. One hundred percent of first floor damaged by fire, one   hundred percent of roof damaged by fire. Three jets, two hose reels, four   breathing apparatus, turntable ladder for water tower, thermal imaging   camera, mobile data terminal for hydrant location, level two HazMat.

02:06

A24 SOHO

FOUR PUMP   FIRE

STOP TIME:   04:08

NUMBER OF   CALLS: 3

CHARLOTTE   STREET, W1

A mid terrace restaurant and offices of four   floors, six metres by twelve metres. Twenty five percent of fourth floor   damaged by fire. Twenty five percent of roof damaged by fire. Steady progress   being made damping down. Methodical search conducted by crews. Two jets, one   hose reel, eight breathing apparatus, turntable ladder, thermal imaging   camera, respirators, gas detection monitor, mobile data terminal for hydrant   location.

[Luminoki]

Could it be that maybe some services that dont have wildfire tac ads should start looking at them?

[Rory-495]

We had a CBT training package last year maybe? But it was not great and I won't lie most people didn't take much notice of it. The only thing I remember is the acronym LACES. Wouldn't know what it means but could Google it quickly if needed. 

I think a tactical advisor would be useful in a way but I'm not sure what extra ability they would have unless the went and trained with a better suited/experiences FRS to get real life application of skills.

Otherwise LFB end up another attribute given to SCs with no real experience of the skill, e.g. tactical advisor bulk media - when they have never used a hose layer or HVP

[Luminoki]

Thats where the investment is needed, i know Lancs do alot with wildfire training. It is something that would go hand in hand with drone training, a feature alot of services have got behind. How often they would be used is anyones guess, but the fact that more services are being stripped during big job and are getting reliant on mutual aid surely proves that services like LFB and West Mids could bring something to the party if theyre not needed at home

[Aspire]

We have just 3 wildfire tac ads in LFB.

[Healdav]

I saw a brief story yesterday that LFB had a 'reserve' on Tuesday of just 3 appliances. No mention of how many crews, if any.

[Rory-495]

They actually had a reserve of... checks notes.... Zero

[BurtMacklin]

brigade sent the same crews who had been at wennington for 15 hours the previous day back the following day regardless of geographic location to incident

[TandA]

On 20/07/2022 at 10:40, Aspire said:

I couldn’t believe it when I heard Southend mobile to the 30 in Upminster that I attended.

Judging by the radio, sounds like Ongar had a good time in London, being sent to Standby at Dagenham but not reaching there as they picked up 3 incidents back to back.

Ongar went on a big city tour to standby at multiple LFB stations I think - Woodford and Ilford were also mentioned.  And Harlow mobilised (from home station ground) to small fire in Ilford as nearest available appliance on the Wednesday morning.  If I I heard the radio correctly, they stated a likely 26 minute attendance which would be good going on blues, even with the M11 in play.

[Trevatanus]

Just read that Hankley Common near Godalming has been declared a major incident 

[Becile]

Yep, but down graded now, I was working some 20 miles away and could see it.

[WTTJ]

Any other services send pumps to the affected areas? We (Avon) sent one pump to Norfolk for two days. Not sure how effective they were or whether it was just a PR thing.

[Rory-495]

I know a mate was asked to go to Norfolk from West mids, but again feels more like a PR thing or contingency 

[C_Iain]

Tyne and Wear sent 2 crews down to Norfolk according to their social media

[Matt]

Avon, Merseyside, Shropshire, Tyne & Wear, Warwickshire & West Midlands all sent appliances down to Norfolk.  Apparently the T&W went down on the bell and were down there for 2 days.  

[Healdav]

The French may possibly have an idea for the future. At the beginning of July and through to the end of August, the fire services in the cities move a lot of their resources - machines and men, down to vulnerable places for wild fires such as the South of France and the Gironde, etc. And the families go as well.

In these places they have campsites, and the families get on with a holiday while the firefighters take it in turns to be on duty. Each group gets two or three weeks there, so everyone gets a cheap holiday and the firefighters are on hand if anything happens.

If you happen to be driving the French motorways at these times you will often see a convoy of appliances heading south or north depending on whether they are coming or going.

[Healdav]

I should have added to my previous post that the French had a lot of difficulties some years ago when there was a dearth of water near fires and drafted in firefighters from other areas couldn't find water sources.

It is now quite normal, all over France, to see large, 5000 litre containers of water (painted green and covered in graffiti) near the roads, and up in the hills. These are full of water. Water would be taken from them and tankers would not have to wait for the water in them to be used, but would simply refill these containers and go to get another load.

Equally, there are signs all over the countryside indicating sources of water, whether rivers, streams, ponds, even sometimes, swimming pools and slurry pits.

[Healdav]

The above should read 20,000 litres

[Jan Pawlowsk]

The amount of fires are very concerning.

[Becile]

To be honest the amount (number)for us is usual. We bank on going on the commons from April through september-  It's the size of the incidents that's increasing, and for other counties/brigades guess it doesn't (read hasn't) featured as a priority in any pre planning or specialist vehicles and training - it will now !!

[Matt]

Call volumes are silly around here, there has been no give with it.

Not sure if it was on here or another site but mobile phones cause a lot of repeat calls where years ago you may have got 1 or 2 calls to a fire in a field on the side of a motorway, the other day I think I saw one this way on generated 190 repeat calls that 4 control rooms handeled between them in the space of 10 minutes.  

In the last 6 weeks I know of some stations have done what they have done in all the time up till then so thats 6 months or so, only going to get busy again this weekend.

[Healdav]

The fires in France are now so bad, especially in the Bordeaux area, and even the Jura which has never before known fires, that reinforcements are being brought in from Germany and are pouring down the motorways.

[Messyshaw]

@Healdav. I have been keeping an eye on the SW France fires. Its an area I know fairly well as I have visited the region several times.

I really like the Bordeaux to Biarritz coast and countryside. Archichon, Dune du Pilat, Biscarrosse, the Landes Parc - lovely places to visit and perhaps live. But the scale of fires in a drought is perhaps off the scale the UK could expect or understand .

I wish them all well and hope they stay safe 

[Healdav]

I don't know the area at all well. I've been there,but its a bit off track for me travelling up and down to the Cote d'Azur - and we have has out fair share of major fires.

One major problem they are finding is that the ground in the are is largely peat, and not only is the fire travelling underground and springing up behind the firefighters, but also, sits there when 'put out' and bursts out again an hour or two later. The local farmers are trying to dig trenches. and do back up spraying the ground with wtaer, but its an uphill struggle.

I see that it has now been announced that water dropping aircraft are coming from Greece to back up those the French always have.

Incidentally, flying these aircraft is an exceedingly dangerous job. The down and side drafts from the fire bring down aircraft and kill the crew almost every year. Even flame retardant aircraft are in danger. And, of course if the water drops on firefighters,Receiving a couple of tons of water on your head does not do you any good and firefighters have been killed before now.

Edited August 11, 2022 by Keith
Quote of post directly above removed

[TandA]

Well that weekend just gone was absolutely manic in Essex, especially the Thames corridor and the south of the county.  Just as a flavour of the bigger field / scrub fires we attended, we had a 16 on the edge of Chelmsford on Friday evening, then Saturday saw a 12 in Harlow, an 8 in Tilbury, a 15 (I think) on Canvey Island, another 10 in Harlow and a 10 in Linford, all of those plus specials (off road vehicles and water bowsers).  There were numerous other small fires, some still caused by disposable bbqs even after all the publicity recently and all our normal bread and butter rtcs / fires to boot.  We were run ragged and on the point of failure, only really kept afloat by some significant help from the LFB, Suffolk and Herts and some very hard shifts from many firefighters who went from fire to fire all day long. Several of those fires above had attendances from 3 brigades and there were a few standby pumps that found themselves a very long way from home (Nayland, Suffolk in to Great Dunmow)

Sunday seemed a little quieter but still brought a 9 in East Tilbury and a 4 in Stanway.  Today is feeling cooler so fingers crossed.