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 15:40 · Emily Atkinson]

Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital warn of appointment delays as heatwave disrupts IT services

The heatwave has caused significant disruption to the IT and phone systems at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust - and the hospital is warning it could cause delays to appointments.

A spokesperson for the London hospital said: “As a result of the extreme temperatures yesterday we have experienced significant disruption to our IT systems, which has had an impact on our services today.

“While the majority of appointments have gone ahead, unfortunately we have had to postpone some operations and appointments and we apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

“The trust has well established business continuity plans to allow us to continue as much activity as possible and to ensure that patient safety is prioritised at all times.

“Our teams are working around the clock to fix these problems as soon as possible.”

[20 July 2022 16:00 · Emily Atkinson]

UK faces more wildfires, says minister – but government delays plan for emergencies

Britain is likely to face more heatwaves and wildfires because of climate change and “must learn to live with extreme events”, said Cabinet Office minister Kit Malthouse.

But he admitted that a plan to make the country more resilience to the climate crisis and other emergencies would be delayed until the new prime minister is installed at No 10.

Labour claimed the government had gone “missing while Britain burns” during the recent heatwave which saw record temperatures and dozens of homes destroyed in wildfires.

Adam Forrest reports:

[20 July 2022 16:10 · Emily Atkinson]

Watch: Drone footage shows devastation as homes destroyed by fire in Wennington

[20 July 2022 16:40 · Emily Atkinson]

LFB praises ‘determination and bravery’ of firefighters

Echoing the comments of Sadiq Khan earlier today, Jonathan Smith, of the London Fire Brigade, said Tuesday was the “busiest day of the London Fire Brigade since World War Two” and it received more than 2,600 calls, responding to more than 1,000 fire incidents.

“The vast majority of which were related to the unprecedented heatwave that we faced,” he said.

“The courage, determination and bravery of our firefighters, officers and control staff to bring the incidents including this one (in Wennington) under control is something I would praise.

“We had 16 firefighters who had heat-related injuries, two of whom were hospitalised, and they’re all now released and fine, I’m pleased to say.

“That gives you an indication of the challenge that we faced.”