The London Fire Brigade declares a major incident after a number of fires break out across the capital
More than 250 firefighters are tackling grass fires in the east and south of the city
The brigade is urging people not to have barbeques or bonfires due to the risk of fire
It comes as the UK hits its hottest temperature on record, with a temperature of 40.2C recorded at Heathrow in London
The previous record was 38.7C in Cambridge in July 2019
Temperatures could reach up to 42C today, forecasters say, with serious implications for people’s health
The extreme heat is fuelled by climate change which is making heatwaves more intense, frequent and likely, scientists warn Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany are also seeing temperatures soar, while wildfires still threaten parts of southwest France and Spain
BBC
