Residents of tower blocks in Leeds say the heat is 'diabolical' in their flats as temperatures hit record levels in the city.
The day has hit nearly 40 degrees across Leeds today, Tuesday July 19, a record breaking temperature for the city. Schools have closed, events have been cancelled and people have been struggling to sleep.
But some places get hotter than others - particularly built-up areas. Because of heat rising, living in a tower block during a heatwave like this often leaves residents facing even worse temperatures than other people.
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LeedsLive went to Holborn Towers in Woodhouse to chat to some of the residents and find out what it was like in the tower block during the heatwave, and how they're getting through it.
Kyle, 64, has lived at Holborn Towers for 33 years, and was on his way out for a nice cold drink at the pub with a friend. He said: "Living in here during these temperatures is diabolical. All we can do is open windows and hope to get some fresh air. Living here during heatwaves is really stressful - this year in particular because it’s worse and even hotter than ever.
"In the winter it's freezing, and in the summer it's boiling. You can never win."
Similarly, resident Steve told LeedsLive: “I keep the curtains shut to keep the heat out. It was terrible last night I didn’t sleep at all. It’s freezing in the winter and warm in summer but we’ve never seen heat like this before and the old people will be struggling. I feel sorry for them.
"At least with it being warm it’s saving me money on heating though because I can't really afford heating. I’m going to a friend's for a bit to get out of here.”
Sara had a similar idea to Steve and Kyle - she said: "You need to go out to keep cool regularly as it's very hot in the flat. I've been keeping the windows open as much as possible to get the air flowing."
Leeds and much of Yorkshire has had an extreme heat red warning in place from the Met Office for the last few days. According to BBC Analysis, more central areas of Leeds have a high heat hazard level than much of Yorkshire.
Resident Brenda told LeedsLive: "I'm up on the twelfth floor and it’s been really warm. I have to keep spraying my bird with water to keep it cool.
"I’ve had a lot of cold showers and things to stay cool, and we've just come back from shopping in town because it's all lovely and air-conditioned in the shops! We're not used to it and it's definitely worse up at the top. This is the worst summer we’ve had and that is really worrying because of climate change. That could mean it happens every year or just gets worse and worse.
"I need something lower if it keeps on, I'll have to think about moving on. There’s a lot of old people here and it’ll be hard for them too. At least for the kids we have a field out back they can play on - they’re coping alright and can have picnics outside as a family. The lobby at the bottom is really cool though - maybe we should all just bring our beds down there!"
Parts of the Little London and Woodhouse ward in Leeds are ranked among the 10% most deprived area in the country according to the 2019 Indices of Multiple Deprivation. According to BBC analysis, people living in deprived areas are twice as likely to live in areas of the UK that get a lot hotter. And because deprivation is often correlated with health problems - that can leave them more vulnerable to extreme heat.
"It is really hot. But I was working yesterday out in the sun and it felt like I could barely breathe doing that," said a resident named Bush.
"In comparison I feel like I can feel the air more today but maybe that’s just because I'm not working. I'm on one of the middle floors so it might be worse at the top.”
One mother and child were headed out to the shops with ice lollies firmly in hand - the mother said: "It's hot inside and out. We wouldn't be going anywhere without ice lollies!"
For Leeds and the rest of the country, it's set to get a bit cooler on Wednesday- though by no means cold. Like most homes in the UK, none of the residents LeedsLive spoke to had air conditioning, and many didn't have fans either.
Susanna said despite the heat, she'd rather be inside than out: "It’s really unbearable. There’s not much you can do. If you open the windows it’s hotter because the air is hot. I leave them open overnight when the sun isn’t out. It’s never been this hot here before but I do feel it’s cooler inside still. I’m nearer the top but I don’t know what it’s like further down.”
Two electrical workers who were at the flats to do some maintenance were also feeling the heat, but felt reasonable adjustments had been made. They said: “Yeah it’s very hot here today as you’d expect. But it’s worse working everywhere, not just here. We’ve been supplied with a lot of water and we’re taking regular breaks.”
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