Man charged with arson after park fires

A 50-year-old man has been charged with arson after several fires were reported in an east London park.

The London Fire Brigade responded to multiple reports of a man starting fires in London Fields, near Lansdowne Drive, Hackney, at about 05:07 BST on Saturday.

There were about 10 small fires in total, which were quickly brought under control, and no one was injured.

Police arrested Isaac Shozi, 50, of Bodney Road, Hackney, and charged him with arson. He is due to appear at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The charge comes days after the government sent out an alert to millions of people warning them against "any activity that could start a fire" while there was a "very high risk of wildfires nationally".

Wildfires have been raging across England and Wales following a series of heatwaves and widespread droughts.

Det Supt Liz Cumber, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "No one can be in any doubt about the dangers of starting fires, particularly following the recent hot weather and heightened risk of wildfires.

"Even small fires can spread quickly and put people, buildings and open spaces at risk."

The force has urged anyone who witnesses a fire, or behaviour that could pose a risk of a fire starting, to call 999 immediately.

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