80 firefighters battle blaze sending huge smoke cloud over south London

Nearly 20 people had to be evacuated from their homes as a large fire swept over a grass field in Norbury, south London, this afternoon. 

Around 80 firefighters were called into action and 12 engines attended the scene, according to the London Fire Brigade, as calls flooded in about the blaze shortly before 12.30pm.

An estimated seven hectares of wasteland, shrubs and school playing fields became alight, causing heavy smoke.

There are no reports of injuries, although 35 houses are thought to have been affected. 

Crews are expected to remain at the scene this afternoon.

The Brigade’s 999 control room handled more than 100 calls about the blaze.

Station Commander Keith Sanders, who led the response at the scene, said: ‘Firefighters worked hard to bring the fire under control and checked local properties and gardens for fire spread.

‘The fire produced heavy smoke in the area and the direction of the wind was blowing smoke towards local terraced houses.

‘We encouraged people to avoid the area and asked local residents to keep windows and doors closed.’

The Brigade was called at 1227 and the fire was under control by 1608. Fire crews from West Norwood, Mitcham, Wallington, Norbury, Woodside and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service.