A large swathe of grassland in Feltham , equivalent to the size of three football pitches, has gone up in flames.

Firefighters were called to a patch of wasteland in Bedfont Road, Feltham, on Wednesday (August 17) afternoon to reports of a grass fire.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said around two hectares of grass had been scorched.

He said the brigade sent two fire engines to the scene after being called at 1.25pm and the blaze was declared over at 2.40pm.

It is understood the area affected was a field beside Bedfont Lakes Country Park nature reserve.

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.

There were a number of grass fires around Hounslow last summer , including one which was caused by a disposable barbecue.

A discarded barbecue was also responsible for a fire on a Kensington rooftop in July.

London Fire Brigade says discarded cigarettes are the most common cause of grass fires but many are also started by glass bottles, which concentrate the sun's rays.

It advises people to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of a fire starting:

  • Never leave camp fires or barbecues unattended and extinguish them properly after you have finished using them

  • Clear away bottles, glasses and any broken glass to avoid them magnifying the sun and starting a fire

  • Dispose of smoking materials such as cigarettes safely

  • Explain to children the dangers of playing with and lighting fires