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 12:50 · Emily Atkinson]

Met Office directs motorists to advice on driving in storms

The Met Office is directing motorists to their recommendations regarding driving in storms as heavy showers and thunder threaten to bubble up in parts of England this afternoon.

Here’s what they advise:

If you are caught out in thunder and lightning it is advised that you wind up the windows and stay inside your car. This is because in the vast majority of cars with a metal roof and frame, the frame will act as a conductive Faraday cage, passing the current around the passengers inside and on to the ground.

• Soft-top convertibles, with their fabric roofs, are the most at risk and could catch fire if struck by lightning
• Be aware that current can travel through other parts of many modern cars, including GPS and radio systems. Cars with metal interior handles, foot pedals and steering wheels can also carry current
• Cars can be damaged both internally and externally by lightning strikes

Thunderstorms can also bring a risk of sudden gusty winds, those most at risk would include cyclists, motorcyclists and high sided vehicles.

• Remember to give vulnerable road users including cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians more room than usual. They are more likely to be blown around by side winds – always keep a safe distance.
• Keep your speed down, lowering your speed will lower the distance you travel when buffeted around by the wind.

For more information on how to protect yourself in a thunderstrm, visit thier dedicated webpage here.

[20 July 2022 13:10 · Emily Atkinson]

‘Clearly insane to take a disposable barbecue onto dry grass,’ says PM

Boris Johnson said it is “clearly insane to take a disposable barbeque onto dry grass” in response to calls for the government to get rid of disposable barbeques and Chinese sky lanterns.

Conservative former minister Caroline Nokes said: “My right honourable friend rightly paid tribute to our hardworking fire fighters dealing with the fires over the last few days in this unprecedented weather.

“Will my right honourable friend take action to make sure more fires can be prevented by getting rid of disposable barbeques and Chinese sky lanterns?”

(PA Wire)

Addressing MPs for the final time as prime minister from the Commons despatch box, Mr Johnson said: “I think the key thing is for people to behave responsibly first with the use of these things. It’s clearly insane to take a disposable barbecue onto dry grass.”

[20 July 2022 13:28 · Emily Atkinson]

Fire breaks out in 18-storey block

Around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines have been called to tackle a blaze at a block of flats in east London’s docklands.

London Fire Brigade said its crews were tacking the blaze on Manwood Street in North Greenwich which appears to be at the top of a block with at around 18 storeys.

[20 July 2022 13:30 · Emily Atkinson]

Labour urges Cop 26president to ‘repudiate’ Sunak’s onshore wind ban plans

Labour has urged Cop26 president Alok Sharma to “repudiate” Rishi Sunak’s position that he will “double down on the onshore wind ban”.

Shadow climate change secretary Ed Miliband said: “He says all the candidates are committed. Only this morning the right honourable member for Richmond (Mr Sunak), the front-runner in the leadership race, said he will double down on the onshore wind ban because of and I quote, the distress and disruption onshore wind causes.

“What is causing distress is the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. What is causing disruption is the most extreme weather in our country’s history, and onshore wind is a vital tool in tackling these crises.

“Yet the bizarre state of the Tory Party means the former chancellor panders to the fanatics and sides with the sceptics. Will the president now repudiate this position and condemn it for the dangerous nonsense it is?”

Mr Sharma replied: “I am not really in a position to repudiate anybody else’s proposals. If I may, what I would say to him is that we have a very clear plan in terms of expanding offshore wind. There’s another 32 gigawatts... There are another 32 gigawatts which is effectively in the pipeline.

“I think in terms of solving the energy security strategy, we need to keep everything on the table. There is already 14 gigawatts of onshore installed across the country. And I think where communities are positively welcoming onshore in return for reduced bills, that is an issue that we should keep on the table.”

[20 July 2022 13:50 · Emily Atkinson]

UK must learn to live with extreme weather events, says cabinet minister

The UK “must learn to live with extreme events such as these”, cabinet office minister Kit Malthouse has said.

He told the Commons: “We do recognise that we are likely to experience more of these incidents and that we should not underestimate their speed, scope and severity.

“Britain may be unaccustomed to such high temperatures but the UK, along with our European neighbours, must learn to live with extreme events such as these.

“The government has been at the forefront of the international efforts to reach net zero, but the impacts of climate change are with us now.

“This is why we have a national adaptation programme under the leadership of the Environment Department. As we have seen in recent days, we will continue to face acute events driven by climate change. It is the responsibility of the cabinet office ministers to co-ordinate work across government when these events take place.”

He noted the national resilience strategy will be launched “at the earliest possible opportunity by the incoming administration”.

[20 July 2022 13:58 · Emily Atkinson]

Greenwich fire: 100 firefighters tackle blazes at 18-storey flat and grass below

Some 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines have rushed to tackle a blaze at a block of flats in London’s docklands.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said its crews were tacking the fire on Manwood Street in North Greenwich which appears to be at the top of a block with at around 18 storeys.

A flat on the 17th floor of the building is alight, the fire service said, while firefighters are also tackling a second fire involving around one hectare of grass opposite the block.

Read more on this developing story here:

[20 July 2022 14:10 · Emily Atkinson]

‘It was like a sauna’: Overheating passengers abandon train stuck in tunnel and walk to platform along tracks

Passengers abandoned a train stuck in a tunnel at Birmingham New Street and walked along the tracks to the platform yesterday.

The West Midlands Railway train was travelling from Lichfield to New Street on Tuesday afternoon when it came to a halt after overhead powerlines became damaged by the extreme heat.

Passengers were stuck on board the train for over an hour before several of them decided to disembark and walk along the railway line to the platform.

Aisha Rimi reports:

[20 July 2022 14:30 · Emily Atkinson]

Met Office extends thunderstorm warning further north

[20 July 2022 14:50 · Emily Atkinson]

Watch: 100 firefighters tackle blazes at 18-storey block of flats in Woolwich

[20 July 2022 15:18 · Emily Atkinson]

Woman arrested after Just Oil Protest

A 22-year-old woman has been arrested after a Just Stop Oil protest on the M25 caused nine-mile tailbacks.

In a statement, Surrey Police said: Officers were called just after 7am this morning following reports of a protest on the M25 just past junction 10 of the anti-clockwise carriageway.

“Officers attended the scene and located a female protester sitting on top of a gantry over the motorway. Three lanes needed to be closed while we worked to safely remove the woman, which involved a specialist team trained in dealing with incidents at height.

“A 22-year-old woman from London, has been arrested on suspicion of causing a danger to road users, causing a public nuisance, and for being a pedestrian on the motorway.

“We appreciate this caused significant disruption this morning and want to thank drivers for their patience while we dealt with the incident. National Highways has since reopened all lanes on this part of the M25.”

PA