Woolwich Common fire closes A205 Academy Road and disrupts seven bus routes
London Fire Brigade controlled the blaze by 1:07 pm but crews remained to extinguish remaining pockets
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A grass fire on Woolwich Common forced the closure of a major road and disrupted bus services in southeast London on 29 July. The blaze, which ignited near Shrapnel Close, affected roughly two hectares of grass and shrubland, according to the London Fire Brigade.
The A205 Academy Road was shut in both directions between Shooters Hill (A207) and Circular Way. Transport for London confirmed that seven bus routes were diverted, leading to slow traffic in the surrounding area. No injuries or damage to buildings were reported.
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Emergency response
Firefighters were called to the scene at 11:27 am. Ten fire engines and approximately 70 personnel from stations including East Greenwich, Eltham, Plumstead and Greenwich attended the incident. The fire was declared under control by 1:07 pm, though crews remained to extinguish remaining hotspots.
The London Fire Brigade used specialist equipment to tackle the blaze. Firefighters deployed backpack blowers, similar to leaf blowers, to push flames back into already burnt areas. Wildfire beaters were also used to deprive the fire of oxygen and cool the flames.
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The grass fire in Woolwich is now under control. Crews will remain on scene into the afternoon as they work to extinguish the remaining pockets of fire and dampen down the area.
London Fire Brigade spokesperson
Cause and next steps
The cause of the fire is unclear. The London Fire Brigade has not yet released details of any investigation. No arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
Residents in the area reported thick smoke visible across Woolwich. The London Ambulance Service confirmed no casualties were recorded at the scene. Transport for London advised passengers to check for updates on affected bus routes via its website or the TfL Go app.
The A205 remained closed for several hours after the fire was brought under control. Local councillors have not yet commented on whether additional fire prevention measures will be considered for Woolwich Common.
Questions this report answers
+How long was the A205 Academy Road closed?
The A205 Academy Road was closed in both directions between Shooters Hill and Circular Way from 11:27 am until at least the early afternoon on 29 July. The London Fire Brigade controlled the fire by 1:07 pm, but the road remained shut while crews worked to extinguish remaining hotspots.
+Which bus routes were affected by the Woolwich Common fire?
Seven bus routes were disrupted due to the closure of the A205 Academy Road. Transport for London advised passengers to check its website or the TfL Go app for real-time updates on diversions and delays caused by the incident.
+What caused the grass fire on Woolwich Common?
The cause of the fire is unknown. The London Fire Brigade has not yet released details of its investigation. No arrests have been made, and the incident is not being treated as suspicious at this stage.
+How many firefighters responded to the Woolwich Common blaze?
Around 70 firefighters from multiple stations, including East Greenwich, Eltham and Plumstead, attended the incident. Ten fire engines were deployed to tackle the blaze, which was brought under control by 1:07 pm on 29 July.
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