Burning embers from a disposable barbecue are thought to have caused a fire that spread across 300 sq m of Wimbledon Common on Sunday evening.

The “substantial” blaze took three crews more than an hour to put out according to a firefighter from Wimbledon fire station.

Investigators have not confirmed the cause, but it is believed to have originated from a disposable barbecue found at the scene near the bridle path.

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: “Even though it rained on Sunday the ground was still parched and the fire was able to spread quickly. It was pretty substantial.

“People think it’s a nice day and will sit outside with a disposable barbecue, but they need to be careful and responsible.

"Just the burning embers can be enough to start a fire.”