FIREFIGHTERS spent two hours tackling a huge blaze which swept across the Tottenham Marshes.

Eight fire engines and 60 firefighters were called from across north and east London yesterday evening (August 30) to tackle the grass fire the size of three football pitches.

It stretched for three acres in Lee Valley Park near Marigold Road.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) were called to the scene just before 8pm, finally getting the blaze under control at 9.58pm.

Crews used grass beaters and water backpacks to fight the flames and will remain at the scene to damp down hot spots that risk the fire restarting.

Station Manager Gary Thompson who was at the scene said: “The fire covered an area the size of around three football pitches and crews worked hard to bring it quickly under control.

“Grass fires cause a great deal of damage to open spaces, property and wildlife but the public can help us stop them from starting by making sure that their cigarettes and barbecues are extinguished properly and that glass bottles, which can concentrate the sun’s rays onto dry grass, are disposed of carefully.

"It's also important that if you do notice a fire on open grassland that you don't attempt to put it out yourself as they can travel very quickly and change direction without warning.

“Call the fire brigade and let us know where the fire is so we can get our crews on the scene as soon as possible to stop it from spreading any further.”

The cause of the fire is still unclear.