New footage shows London's Hammersmith Bridge apparently alight as dozens of flares and fireworks were set off by 'thugs' on Sunday night (3 August).

A hedge at nearby St Pauls' School in Barnes was also set alight at around 9.30pm after flares and fireworks were fired from the bridge.

The hedge in flames (credit: SWNS).

Will, a 22-year-old local resident, filmed the incident from his home nearby.

The recent graduate said: "We heard this loud banging outside - looked out the window and the whole bridge was shrouded in red.

"Many were landing in the school playing fields, harmlessly at first.

"Then we saw a small, and then quickly a massive fire.

"The fire trucks arrived really quickly and there were police too, who had to use fire extinguishers on a part of the bridge that was smoking.

"There was a police helicopter as well.

"My brother's lived here for three years. He says it's not the first time fireworks have been set off from the bridge, but it's the first time it's caused a fire.

"People are worried with flares going everywhere - if they landed at a slightly different angle, it could have set off a whole block of flats, especially with the wind blowing."

The images show flares being launched from Hammersmith Bridge (credit: SWNS).

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "At 21:47hrs on Sunday, 3 August officers and the London Fire Brigade responded to reports of a large disturbance near Hammersmith Bridge, SW13.

"It was established there had been instances of fireworks and flares being set off.

"A bush fire at St Paul's School, Barnes, caused by the fireworks, was put out by the London Fire Brigade. There were no reported injuries.

"Two men, aged 22 and 18, were arrested on suspicion of arson. They both remain in police custody.

"Anyone with information, photos and video footage that might help police with this investigation can call 101 referencing CAD 6861/03AUG."

St Paul's School told Nub News: "The fire was in a hedge - but the damage is very limited and only to the hedge itself.

"This is in no small part due to the quick actions of St Paul's staff and the rapid response of the fire brigade, which prevented the fire from spreading further towards buildings in either direction."

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