Firefighters have finished tackling a blaze on a heathland - the fifth fire on the area in a month.

Crews were called at 6.08pm and 10 fire engines were sent to the scene to battle the flames on Dartford Heath and remain at the scene this morning.

Almost 24 hours later, one fire engine was still at the scene and by 3pm Monday crews had left the scene.

An update from Kent Fire and Rescue service read: "Firefighting operations at the scene of a fire on Dartford Heath have now been completed.

"Crews have been working their way across the charred land throughout the day, using flexi-packs to extinguish any remaining hotspots. Ten hectares of heathland have been destroyed by the fire. The cause has not yet been confirmed."

The fire service said no no one has been injured and people living or working nearby are advised to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution due to smoke.

Smoke from the blaze could be seen from the A2 and the A2018 Shepherds Lane in both directions had been blocked and there is queuing traffic due to the fire fire.

Firefighting efforts were reduced to two engines as of 11.45pm and the fire service says 10 hectares has been affected.

But as off 11.15am on Sunday this had increased to four fire engines and working on remaining hotspots.

The public has been warned to avoid the heath today wherever possible including walking dogs due to the heat in the ground following the fire.

Advice to keep doors and windows closed in the nearby area was lifted early on Sunday morning.

A spokesman said: "Firefighters are reminding people to avoid walking around the area on Sunday as there may still be multiple hotspots.

"There will also be remaining toxins and fumes present for some days to come which can be bad for the health of people and animals."

In an update at 8.30am, the fire service said crews are maintaining a "watching brief" to ensure any remaining hotspots have been extinguished.

The cause has not yet been confirmed.

It's the fifth fire on the heath in the last month.

Just a matter of days ago crews were on the heath fighting another blaze and traffic had to be being held on the A2 due to the fourth fire there.

Motorists were held on London-bound carriageway near the heath.

Just days before that multiple fire engines were called to the heath and crews used hose reel jets to extinguish a fire that had spread to around 400 square metres of grassland. No one was injured.

And the week before blaze engulfed a 100x100 metre plot, with seven fire engines and a number of support vehicles, including multi-terrain vehicles, were called to the site.

It comes as the fire service reported nearly 400 grass fires in the month of July.

This was a rise of nearly 10 times the amount in July 2021 – due to the heatwave.

irefighting operations are ongoing on Dartford Heath with four fire engines in attendance. Crews are continuing their efforts throughout the affected areas, and are working on any remaining hotspots.

Firefighters are reminding people to ensure you avoid the heath today wherever possible, including if you are walking a dog. Although some of the ground looks charred, the heat beneath is still extremely hot and can cause harm to people and animals.

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