Hundreds of firefighters are tackling huge blazes across the capital
A major incident has been declared in response to a “huge surge” in fires which have broken out across London on the UK’s hottest day on record.
Sadiq Khan confirmed the news on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the UK hit an all-time temperature record with 40.2C recorded at Heathrow Airport.
A major incident has been declared in London after a "huge surge" in fires across the capital on the UK's hottest-ever day
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The Mayor of London said the London Fire Brigade is “under immense pressure” and that the situation is “critical”.
Hundreds of firefighters have been called out to tackle the blazes, some of which have completely destroyed homes.
A totally of 15 fire engines and around 100 firefighters have been sent to tackle a major fire in the village of Wennington, Havering, on the outskirts of east London.
Houses have been severely damaged and nearby fields are burning severely. It is not currently known if anybody has been injured.
Firefighters have also been sent to tackle at least nine other blazes in the capital.
According to Sky News, they include:
• Thirty fire engines are dealing with a grass fire on Pea Lane in Upminster
• Twelve fire engines are tackling a fire involving garden fencing and trees on Uxbridge Road in Pinner
• Ten fire engines are attending a restaurant fire on Green Lanes in Southgate
• Eight fire engines are tackling a grass fire on Oaks Road in Croydon
• Eight fire engines are dealing with a grass fire on Ballards Road in Dagenham
• Eight fire engines are attending a fire on The Broadway in Wembley
• Six fire engines are tackling a grass fire on Sunningfields Crescent in Hendon
• Four fire engines are dealing with a grass fire on Chapel View in Croydon
• Four fire engines are attending a fire on Sidcup Road in Eltham.
The London Ambulance Service has confirmed its crews are “responding to a number of fire incidents across London including at Rainham and Wembley”.
“We have a number of resources on scene including ambulance crews and our Hazardous Response teams,” it said in a statement
“We are treating patients on scene.”
NEW: London Fire Brigade has just declared a Major Incident in response to a huge surge in fires across the capital today.
This is critical: @LondonFire is under immense pressure. Please be safe.
I'm in touch with the Commissioner and will share updates when I have them.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) July 19, 2022
Khan has issued an urgent warning to Londoners as fires continue to burn across the city, writing on Twitter: “London Fire Brigade has just declared a major incident in response to a huge surge in fires across the capital today. This is critical: London Fire Brigade is under immense pressure. Please be safe. I’m in touch with the Commissioner and will share updates when I have them.
“Don’t barbecue on grass or balconies, don’t leave broken bottles or glass on the grass (it can start fires), dispose of cigarettes safely, and report a fire as soon as you see one.
“Don’t take risks. Stay safe in the heat.”
Related stories:
- Now there’s a yellow warning for thunderstorms after three days of emergency warnings over the heat
- Apocalyptic scenes as train grinds to a halt in the middle of blazing wildfires
- UK may hit ‘ferocious’ 41C as hottest day on record expected to be smashed
