Photos shared with News Shopper show the extent of a fire which damaged a hectare of grassland in Bostall Woods.

London Fire Brigade received 15 emergency calls to the blaze on the heath at about 10.20pm on Tuesday night (July 17).

After sending four crews from across Bexley and Greenwich, firefighters brought the blaze under control by 11.37pm and left the scene shortly before midnight.

An LFB spokeswoman confirmed: "We were called at 10.22pm to reports of a fire in woodland in Bostall Heath.

News Shopper:

(Image: Paolo Pescatore)

"15 emergency calls were made to report the incident.

"Around a hectare (about the size of a football pitch) of heath and woodland was partially damaged by fire.

"Four fire engines and 25 firefighters from Plumstead, Bexley, Eltham and East Greenwich were at the scene. The fire was brought under control by 11.37pm."

She added that the cause of the fire is under investigation.

The London Fire Brigade has issued advice for preventing grass fires after a spate have broken out across the capital.

News Shopper: Images from Paolo Pescatore on Twitter.

(Image: Paolo Pescatore)

Among the Brigade's top tips are:

- Never leave camp fires or barbecues unattended and put them out properly

- Clear away bottles and glass to prevent magnifying the sun and starting a fire

- Dispose of cigarette butts correctly and do not drop them on the floor

- Explain the dangers of lighting fires to children

Last week, LFB commissioner Dany Cotton said: “I never thought I’d say this but we are praying for rain.

“We are calling on the public to take steps to prevent grass fires: don’t drop cigarettes or matches on dry ground or out of car windows; don’t have barbecues on dry grass or parks and don’t leave glass bottles out as they can concentrate the sun’s rays and start a blaze.

“Grass fires spread like lightening so if you see dry grass smouldering, please call 999 and report it immediately so that firefighters can deal with it and stop it from spreading.”