Urgent warning to CANCEL your summer barbecue after string of fires blaze across London and Surrey
SUNSEEKERS have today been told to CANCEL their summer barbecues after a string of blazes this weekend.
Infernos raged across Suffolk, London and Surrey yesterday - sending huge plumes of black smoke into the sky.
This morning, London Fire Brigade urged Brits to cancel "all planned barbecues" in a bid to prevent more fires.
Sunseekers were also urged to remove rubbish from grassy areas and bin cigarettes property to reduce the risk of starting a blaze.
The fire brigade wrote on Twitter: "Please help us prevent further fires by cancelling all planned BBQs, removing rubbish especially glass from grassland and disposing cigarettes correctly.
"Our firefighters and control officers are doing a fantastic job in challenging conditions.
"Your co-operation will help us greatly."
A blaze erupted in Knodishall Common in Suffolk on Sunday evening - sending black smoke billowing across the area.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service last night confirmed they were dousing the wildfire with 12 pumps after being alerted at 7.57pm.
They warned locals to avoid the area and keep their windows and doors closed.
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It came hours after crews battled several fires in and around London.
London Fire Brigade confirmed it was fighting wildfires in Enfield, Hayes and Thamesmead.
And Surrey Fire and Rescue declared a "major incident" in Hankley Common.
The Surrey blaze - at a beauty spot that featured in Bond film Skyfall - caused a giant plume of smoke to cover Heathrow Airport 25 miles away.
On Sunday evening firefighters declared the major incident over - but asked the public to avoid the area.
A total of 24 people were evacuated, as were 23 horses, two dogs and one cat, reported.
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In a tweet, a Thorpe Park visitor said the theme park was "covered" in smoke, while another posted he "could barely breathe".
The cause of the blaze has not been established, but the fire service urged people to "please help keep our outdoors safe: pack a picnic instead of a disposable bbq & dispose of cigarettes correctly".
