Record-breaking heat sees UK battle wildfires

Published

2 years ago

July 20, 2022

A fire burns during a heatwave, in east London, Britain, July 19, 2022. REUTERS/Tony O'Brien

UK struggles against record-breaking heat, infrastructure failures and wildfires as temperatures soar due to climate change

Extreme heat saw Britain swelter as the mercury hit 40.3 degrees celsius in England’s north – the hottest temperature ever recorded in the United Kingdom.

Here are the highest temperatures across the country today 👇

At least 34 sites have exceeded the UK's previous national record of 38.7°C 🌡️#heatwave2022 #heatwave pic.twitter.com/QwwfzLWZpc
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 19, 2022

Heathrow Airport and St James’s Park in central London weren’t far behind, hitting 40.2 degrees.

The London Fire Brigade declared an emergency incident.

We have declared a major incident as firefighters battle several significant fires across the capital during today’s record-breaking heatwave. For the latest on those, follow this account @londonfire https://t.co/1ThCGrc33K pic.twitter.com/Tp4J0l2Zkr
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) July 19, 2022

As it battled baking heat and fires sparking across multiple locations in and out of the national capital.

Massive fire on the A2 coming out of London. Guarantee a discarded cigarette is to blame. pic.twitter.com/HDhbyAOLXH
— Nick Britten (@Nick_Britten) July 19, 2022

Professor Stephen Belcher, the Met Office’s chief scientist said that the extreme heat was due to climate change.

“If we continue under a high emissions scenario we could see temperatures like these every three years”
prof stephen belcher, chief scientist, uk met office

Thousands of people in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the north-east were left without power after transmission equipment overheated.

Many train services were cancelled as the steel rails buckled under the heat, and overhead wires sagged.

⚠️ Absolutely DO NOT travel north out of London.⚠️

This record-breaking heat means there are no train services out of London King’s Cross or London Euston.@NetworkRailEUS @NetworkRailKGX @AvantiWestCoast @LNER @nationalrailenq #heatwave #heatwaveuk pic.twitter.com/t5ZROs7GqP
— Network Rail (@networkrail) July 19, 2022

Schools closed early – or even refused to open.

The supreme court moved hearings online.

This doesn't look good #wildfire #London #heatwave #londonheatwave pic.twitter.com/cnIdKqQomF
— Komal Madar (@KomalMadar) July 19, 2022

And the British Museum closed at 3pm – earlier than normal because of the unprecedented heat.

Fire on the land next to Hatch End station means all London Euston to Watford Junction services suspended pic.twitter.com/mKUbKEYJOX
— Nick Barker (@NickBarker1971) July 19, 2022

A2 Southbound by M25. pic.twitter.com/LzyAbeqbgV
— efenda (@efendaTv) July 19, 2022

38 degrees in London. Wildfires #londonweather #heatwave pic.twitter.com/0coXAdXUGD
— Fatima Abdulle. MD (@FayLikesCoffee) July 19, 2022

@lbbdcouncil @BDPost @MPSBarkDag @LondonFire deserve huge props for their service in this heat today. Something exploded on the train tracks & spread quick.

Thankfully our neighbours are safe, we've shared water and ice cream with all firemen on site and the fire is out 🙏 pic.twitter.com/gya81FB00N
— Taz🌹 (@TazTheStarGazer) July 18, 2022

Right now from Erith… zero snowflakes. pic.twitter.com/blb9PnUDKk
— Katrina Collier (She/Her/Ms) 🇦🇺🇬🇧 (@KatrinaMCollier) July 19, 2022

#woolwichcommon #heatwave fire being attended to by @LondonFire. Please do not drop cigarettes or discard glass especially in dry hot weather. pic.twitter.com/XFzwV5TOQd
— Friends of Woolwich Common (@WoolwichFriends) July 18, 2022

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