A dog walker and two dogs were left stranded on an island in Battersea Park surrounded by icy water as temperatures plunged in the capital.
Firefighters were called to rescue the two animals after they became stranded on the frozen lake on two separate occasions in the central London park on Saturday.
The London Fire Brigade was first called shortly after 11.20am when a man attempted to rescue his pet, which had become stuck on the ice.
The dog walker then became trapped on an island forcing firefighters to use an inflatable rescue boat to bring them both to safety.
Video footage of the incident showed firefighters breaking the ice to reach a man wrapped in a foil blanket.
He was then seen being helped off the boat with no shoes on.
Hours later the LFB then received a second call about another dog trapped on the frozen lake at around 1pm.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "These incidents highlight just how important it is to keep dogs away from frozen ponds, lakes or rivers which can pose a danger.
"It’s best to walk dogs away from frozen water or keep them on the lead if it’s unavoidable.
“If your dog ventures onto the ice, never follow them onto it, instead call them to come back to you right away, but if they get stuck call fire and rescue services for help.
"Owners should never try to risk rescuing their pet as they could get themselves into a dangerous situation.
"Even if ice appears thick from the bank, it becomes thinner very quickly. Keep away from the edge of open water, especially slippery banks.
"If you fall in, the temperature of icy water is cold enough to take your breath away, which can easily lead to panic and drowning.
“The coldness can make your arms and legs numb which means you can’t control them and can’t swim. It can lead to hypothermia – a serious reduction in your body temperature – which can cause heart failure. This happens even to the strongest swimmers."
You can read advice on what to do if you fall through ice or if someone else has fallen on the LFB website here.
