UK weather news – live: Heatwave fires ‘like the Blitz’ as dozens of homes destroyed

Around 19 houses were destroyed after fires tore through rows of houses in Wennington

UK heatwave: Dartford wildfire reaches motorway as temperatures hit record high

The scene at a smouldering village on the outskirts of London, which saw some of yesterday’s most devastating fires, has been described by a resident as being “like the Blitz”.

Around 19 houses were destroyed after fires first seen in back gardens rapidly tore through rows of houses in Wennington.

Resident Tim Stock, who lost his family home of 60 years in the blaze, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It was like a warzone. Down the actual main road, all the windows had exploded out, all the rooves had caved, it was like a scene from the Blitz really.”

It comes as some 41 properties including homes and warehouses have been destroyed in the capital as Tuesday’s heatwave saw the busiest day for London’s Fire Brigade (LFB) since the Second World War, according to Sadiq Khan.

Operating in 40C heat on Tuesday, firefighters took an estimated 2,600 emergency calls and responded to over 1,000 fire calls, the London mayor told Sky News.

Of the 16 firefighters who suffered “heat-related injuries”, two were hospitalised, LFB assistant commissioner Jonathan Smith said. Both have since been released.

Key points

• Wennington fires ‘like a scene from the Blitz, says resident
• Climate change protesters block M25 after heatwave
• London heatwave leads to firefighters’ busiest day since WW2
• Temperatures drop by over 10C as Met warns of heavy showers
• UK record 40C temperature for first time in history
• ‘Unprecedented’ 22 major wildfires across UK

[20 July 2022 16:09 · Emily Atkinson]

Good afternoon.

We are pausing our live heatwave updates for today. Thank you for joining us.

[19 July 2022 15:42 · Joe Middleton]

Fire rages in Dartford as searing heatwave hits UK

[19 July 2022 15:50 · Joe Middleton]

Avanti West Coast passengers urged not to go to Euston due to suspended services

Avanti West Coast passengers have been urged not to go to Euston station as all services have been suspended for Tuesday.

A spokesman said: “Due to the extreme heat causing multiple incidents across the network all Avanti West Coast services have now been withdrawn for the rest of today, Tuesday July 19.”

Customers with tickets for Tuesday can use them on Wednesday or Thursday, or claim a refund.

PA

[19 July 2022 15:55 · Joe Middleton]

Temperatures are now above 40C at a number of UK areas, say Met Office

The Met Office said said that temperatures are now “above 40C at a number of UK sites” but that “fresher conditions are now arriving across the far west of the country.”

[19 July 2022 16:09 · Joe Middleton]

Firefighters tackle outbuilding blaze during record-breaking heatwave

Firefighters are tackling a blaze in Wembley that erupted during the UK’s record-breaking heatwave.

Around 60 crew members were at the scene on Tuesday afternoon.

Zoe Tidman has the latest on this breaking story.

[19 July 2022 16:30 · Joe Middleton]

Prince Charles says tackling climate change is 'utterly essential' as heatwave grips UK

[19 July 2022 16:45 · Joe Middleton]

Drone photos show huge fire at Welsh beach

A large fire has broken out above a beach in southwest Wales, as the UK’s unprecedented heatwave sparked warnings of a “very extreme danger” of wildfires.

Drone footage showed flames and smoke billowing from a hill above Newgale beach in Pembrokeshire, where blazes broke out on both Sunday and Monday.

Rou Chater, a 46-year-old surfer who captured the footage, was out on the water when he spotted the fire, which he described as “totally out of control” and “the biggest one the area has seen for some time”.

Andy Gregory reports.

[19 July 2022 16:49 · Holly Bancroft]

Breaking: 40.3C record temperature in Coningsby

The Met Office have recorded another record temperature of 40.3C in Coningsby, a slight increase on the previous record set in Heathrow today.

[19 July 2022 16:55 · Holly Bancroft]

Full story: Temperature reachs 40.3C in Lincolnshire

Temperature records were broken three times in one day in the UK on Tuesday, after temperatures hit 40.3C at Coningsby, surpassing two other records set just hours earlier.

The Met Office said a provisional temperature of 39.1C had been recorded in Charlwood, Surrey, at 10.40 am on Tuesday only for that record to be broken soon after.

London Heathrow reported a temperature of 40.2C at 12.50pm, followed by 40.3C at Coningsby at 4pm.

The highs exceeded the previous UK record of 38.7 in Cambridge in 2019.

[19 July 2022 16:59 · Holly Bancroft]

At least 29 places in England break all time temperature records

At least 29 observation sites across England have provisionally broken the previous all time maximum UK record of 38.7 °C this afternoon, the Met Office have reported.

Temperature records were broken three times in one day in the UK on Tuesday, after temperatures hit 40.3C at Coningsby in Lincolnshire.