UK cities need to prepare for future wildfires, say fire chiefs

Homes gutted by fire in Wennington, London. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Fire chiefs have warned that cities in the UK need to prepare for wildfires after dozens of “unprecedented” blazes broke out during last week’s record-breaking temperatures.

Temperatures reached 40C (104F) across England last Tuesday in a heatwave that dried out green spaces, triggering wildfires that destroyed more than 40 houses and shops.