A summary of today's developments
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Met Office data showed that the UK had its first ever day of temperatures over 40C, with 40.3C recorded in Lincolnshire. This followed the hottest ever night recorded, with temperatures failing to dip below 25C in some parts, but relief should arrive shortly in the shape of thunderstorms on Wednesday, the forecaster said.
- Scotland recorded its highest ever temperature, reaching 34.8C in Charterhall in the Scottish Borders, according to provisional Met Office figures. It exceeded the previous record of 32.9C recorded in Greycrook on 9 August 2003.
- At least 13 people have died going into open water during the heatwave period, of which at least four were under the age of 17. Water safety organisations are concerned the toll may climb as schools break for summer holidays.
- The London fire brigade declared a major incident in response to a huge surge in fires across the capital. Firefighters described blazes tearing through homes and buildings in London as “absolute hell” with residents evacuated and people taken to hospital. Residents were evacuated from their homes in the village of Wennington, east London, while flames destroyed buildings and ravaged nearby fields. Two people were also taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation following a fire in Dagenham.
- Greater Manchester police are appealing for information about fires suspected to have been started deliberately on the moorland behind Dovestones reservoir.
- UK transport secretary says Britain must ‘drive up’ railway standards. Grant Shapps said the Victorian-era infrastructure “wasn’t built to withstand this type of temperature”. He added these events will occur more frequently, and it will take decades to upgrade existing lines to be more resilient.
- London’s ambulance service is experiencing a sustained demand for 999 and 111 services. The service said it was answering 400 calls an hour as it sees “an increase in the number of patients experiencing heat exposure”.
Updated
After a major incident was declared in South Yorkshire, Doncaster Council said in a statement: “There have been a number of fires in Doncaster today due to the extremely high temperatures.
“Some of these are ongoing and we are continuing to work with agencies across the borough and also colleagues across South Yorkshire to respond to and manage these incidents”
The council said power cuts have also caused problems in the region.
It said: “There have also been a number of power outages, which are being caused by the high temperatures today too. Northern Powergrid are working hard to restore the power, and most properties are now back online.
“We are working with colleagues across the council to ensure any vulnerable people affected are able to access the support they need.”
