A major grassfire near Mitcham Common in south London has exposed nearby businesses to flames, sent thick smoke across the area and disrupted road and rail services, prompting a large emergency response.

Around 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines were deployed to the blaze near Carshalton Road. London Fire Brigade said roughly four hectares of scrubland had caught fire, while a workshop, tyre centre, scaffolding yard and garages were also affected. More than 70 calls were made to the brigade after the first report at 4.27pm, although the cause remained unknown.¹

The left-leaning coverage focused on the unfolding emergency and its effect on residents and transport. It reported advice to keep windows and doors closed, urged people to avoid the area and detailed cancellations and closures around Mitcham Junction, the A237 and bus routes 127 and S1. The line between Mitcham Junction and Sutton was closed because the fire was burning near the tracks.

Right-leaning reports used more dramatic language, describing a “massive” or “huge” fire and citing accounts of “showering ash” near the roadside. They also stressed that police had closed surrounding roads, no injuries had been reported and disruption to Southern and Thameslink services could continue until at least 10pm.²

Both perspectives agreed on the central facts: the fire spread through dry grassland, smoke was visible from as far away as Croydon, and crews used a 32-metre turntable ladder to attack the flames from above. The brigade’s public warning was quoted in both accounts: “The fire is producing a significant amount of smoke, so local residents should keep their windows and doors closed.”³ The incident followed a smaller Mitcham grassfire earlier in the week, but no link between the fires was established.