A series of grass fires in the Norbury area are believed to have been started deliberately.
On Sunday from around 12.30pm, London Fire Brigade tackled a huge blaze where seven hectares of wasteland, shrubs and school playing fields were alight.
Police report that the playing field between Woodmansterne Road and Turle Road had a number of fires lit there.
London Fire Brigade took more than 100 calls reporting the blaze.
Fire crews saved “more than 40 homes from the blaze” and said that it was an “intense” and “challenging” fire.
Some properties suffered minor damage but there have been no reports of any serious injuries.
Around 35 houses were affected by the fire and 19 residents were evacuated as a precaution.
The grass fires were brought under control at around 4.10pm.
London Fire Brigade’s Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Smith, who was at the scene, said: "Firefighters faced a very intense and serious fire.
“There is no doubt that the dynamic actions taken by crews immediately on arrival saved more than 40 homes from the blaze.
"Hot and windy conditions made tackling the fire challenging and firefighters worked incredibly hard to save a whole street's worth of houses."
Metropolitan Police have now launched an investigation into the fires as they are believed to have been caused deliberately.
No arrests have been made at this time, but police have received reports of a man with a knife seen acting suspiciously in the area.
Anyone with any information about the cause of the blaze or the man should contact police quoting reference number CAD 3210/26 Jun.
A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “Detectives are investigating following reports of a series of fires in a field in Merton.
“Police and LFB received multiple calls to Woodmansterne Road, junction with Lacross Way at around 12:30hrs.
“The fires, now all extinguished, caused some minor damage to a number of properties.
“Some houses were evacuated as a precaution.
“There have been no reports of any serious injuries.
“The fires are believed to have been caused deliberately.
“Police had received reports of a man with a knife seen acting suspiciously in the area. Enquiries to trace the man are ongoing.
“There have been no arrests at this time.
“Anyone who has information that could help police should call 101 ref CAD 3210/26 Jun.”
A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: “Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters tackled a grass fire near Turle Road in Norbury.
”Approximately seven hectares of wasteland, shrubs and school playing fields were alight.
“Around 35 houses have been affected by the fire and 19 residents were evacuated as a precaution. “There are currently no reports of any injuries.
“The Brigade's 999 Control Officers took more than 100 calls to the blaze.
“The fire produced heavy smoke in the area and the direction of the wind was blowing smoke towards local terraced houses.
“We encouraged people to avoid the area and asked local residents to keep windows and doors closed.
“The Brigade was called at 1227 and the fire was under control by 1608.
“Fire crews from West Norwood, Mitcham, Wallington, Norbury, Woodside and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
“The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service.”
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