Firefighters used nearly half a tonne of water to bring a wildfire under control near Alexandra Palace in North London, with crews battling the blaze for over 12 hours. The fire, which involved around half an acre of compost and garden waste, broke out near Alexandra Palace Way in Wood Green at approximately 12:40 am on Thursday, July 23. Crews remained at the scene until just before 3:00 pm the same day.
Response and Equipment
Six fire engines carrying around 40 firefighters responded to the incident. The London Fire Brigade deployed one of its Terrain Support Vehicles to assist in firefighting operations. This vehicle provides off-road capability, enabling the transportation of additional equipment closer to fires on open ground. Each vehicle carries approximately 475 litres of water, a backpack blower, ear defenders, beaters, and misting lance technology, which allows firefighters to pump water while driving.
There were no reports of any injuries. Road closures were put in place between A1201 Park Road and Bedford Road (Alexandra Palace Station) as crews dampened down hot spots. The London bus W3 was diverted as a result.
Investigation and Safety Warnings
The cause of the fire is under investigation. A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "During periods of dry and sustained extreme heat, the chance of wildfires spreading rapidly is high. The Brigade is ready and prepared to respond to all types of incidents, but we urge everyone to play their part to prevent incidents, such as wildfires, which can be time-consuming to resolve and have devastating impacts on livelihoods, occurring in the first place."
The spokesperson added: "If you’re planning to enjoy the weather over the coming days either in a park or other open spaces, please don’t take a disposable BBQ with you. They pose a significant fire risk as the heat can be retained for many hours, even after a barbecue has been put out. It’s also important to make sure that smoking materials are discarded of properly and either dispose of your rubbish in the appropriate bins or take it home with you if none are available."
For those having a BBQ at home, the Brigade advises avoiding doing so on a balcony and ensuring the BBQ is away from flammable materials like fences and sheds. They also warn against setting up a BBQ on any decking in the garden.
