Firefighters were called to Richmond Park after a fire broke out this afternoon.

A fire engine and police car arrived at the scene at about 1pm, after dog walker Matt Rogers spotted smoke coming from a fallen tree close to Pen Pond.

Mr Rogers, from Richmond, said: “There was a small amount of smoke to start then within three minutes the flames where 5ft tall and with the wind under them they were going pretty fierce.

“I tried to beat them down, but it [the fire] was growing too fast.

“Everything is tinder dry and it’s pretty dangerous for wildlife too.”

The fire follows a warning issued by the London Fire Brigade service today calling for people to be careful when smoking outside or having barbecues, due to the recent dry weather.

Chairman of London Fire Authority’s community safety committee, Councillor Susan Hall, said: “There are a lot of parks in the capital and the risk from grass fires is high as they can spread to nearby buildings.

“The grass is just so dry at the moment, all it will take is a dropped cigarette or an ember from a babecues and we could be faced with a raging inferno almost straight away.”

A spokesman from Richmond fire station confirmed no one was injured in the fire.

For the past week hundreds of firefighters have been tackling grass and forest fires across the UK brought on by the hot weather. For the past 24 hours, 25 of the brigade’s firefighters have been assisting Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service in fighting a massive blaze in a forest near Ascot.

Due to the size of the fire, London Fire Brigade anticipates being at the forest for several days.

Anyone who spots a grass fire should call 999 immediately.