Wildfires rage across Britain on its hottest-ever day

By Karim El-Bar

LONDON (AA) - Wildfires broke out across the UK on Tuesday as temperatures surpassed 40C (104F) for the first time ever.

In the capital city, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) declared an official “major incident” after a number of significant blazes. Around 100 firefighters were sent to a village in east London where plumes of black smoke were seen billowing into the sky and buildings were seen on fire.

One firefighter was quoted by local media describing the scene as "absolute hell.”

Another major incident was declared in Yorkshire, northern England after a number of wildfires there.

Wildfires also raged in Norfolk, east England, and 90 firefighters were sent to tackle a separate blaze in Kent in the country’s southeast.

In London, LFB chief Andy Roe asked local councils for a temporary ban on disposable barbecues in all open spaces.

London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement that “officers will also be patrolling open spaces in the coming hours to ensure that Londoners are following the LFB advice to keep us all safe.”

“This includes: Do not have a barbecue or bonfire tonight. Do not leave broken bottles or glass on the ground. Dispose of cigarettes safely.”

According to provisional data from the Met Office, Tuesday saw the UK record its hottest ever temperature: 40.3C (104.5F) in Lincolnshire. The previous record was 38.7C (101.6F) at Cambridge in 2019.