A major incident has been declared in London after a “huge surge” in fires across the capital on the UK’s hottest-ever day.
Mayor Sadiq Khan said the London Fire Brigade (LFB) is “under immense pressure” as he urged people to be safe, adding the situation is “critical”.
Dozens of fire engines and hundreds of firefighters have been involved in tackling a number of blazes.
In a village on the outskirts of east London, several houses were severely damaged after fires broke out.
LFB has sent 15 fire engines and about 100 firefighters to Wennington to deal with blazes which appeared to cover a number of buildings and adjoining grassland.
At least one home was completely destroyed.
Grass fires were reported grass fire on Pea Lane in Upminster, Pinner, Southgate, Croydon, Dagenham, Wembley, Hendon and Croydon.
It has been the hottest day on record in the UK, with provisional Met Office figures showing the temperature hit 40.2C at Heathrow Airport, beating the previous record of 38.7C registered in Cambridge three years ago.
⚠️ LATEST PICTURES FROM DARTFORD FIRE: London Fire Brigade have declared a major incident as several serious fires burn across the capital. This is the scene at the A2 outside #Dartford Video: Tim Cross pic.twitter.com/Vnf38OFVfB
— Maritime Radio (@maritimeLDN) July 19, 2022
40 degrees in the UK is not normal.
Multiple fires across London is not normal.
It's time to listen to the science and ditch fossil fuels. Now.pic.twitter.com/v9zcs8RGGZ
— Greenpeace UK (@GreenpeaceUK) July 19, 2022
A bus in London caught fire because of the recent heat wave 😱
pic.twitter.com/ncbDJXaT9k— Essa Alamri (@Ess8a) July 19, 2022
London is burning and it’s crazy to just see it in front of me. Took 30 minutes for a police car to arrive and about 45 minutes for a fire brigade to arrive. By then two homes and many cars went up in flames. pic.twitter.com/hoJhWfuRNP
— Dina💛 (@Namdinsss) July 19, 2022