MASSIVE fires have erupted in the 40C heat today damaging homes and causing emergency crews to declare a major incident.
Hundreds of firefighters are tackling blazes across the UK as the high temperatures hit Britain.
London Fire Brigade has declared a major incident as they battle to put wildfires out in the capital.
Several homes have been left severely damaged including one completely destroyed as a blaze broke out in the village of Wennington, Greater London.
It comes as provisional Met Office figures show the the mercury has nudged 40.2C at Heathrow today – the first time on record the temperature has exceeded 40C in the UK.
But the heatwave is due to end tomorrow with a yellow warning in place for thunderstorms across London and parts of the South East.
Read more weather news
Sweltering Brits warned NOT to follow ‘dangerous’ TikTok ‘home air con’ hacks
Brits bask in hottest day since records began as Met says we’ve hit 40.2C
Around 100 firefighters are working to extinguish the flames as dramatic pictures show black smoke billowing through a housing estate.
Adjoining grassland has also caught fire with nearby fields left completely destroyed by the inferno.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the major incident is “in response to a huge surge in fires across the capital today”.
In Croydon, South London, two separate fires are being tackled.
Around 60 firefighters are in woodland on Oaks Road where a blaze erupted this afternoon with a further four fire engines on the scene of a grass fire in Chapel View.
Most read in The Sun
BLUE OVER 
Chelsea quartet Broja, Gilmour, Anjorin and Vale SENT HOME from US
Sun sets on 38.1C sizzler – but Brits face ANOTHER scorcher today
I won Love Island but what happened on last night’s show wasn’t normal
I spent £160 on an Argos returns pallet – I was in hysterics when I opened it
Around three hectares of grassland has gone up in flames in Upminster, East London, with 175 firefighters on the scene.
The fire has spread to nearby Rainham with residents now being evacuated from their homes.
The smoke is also blowing over the M25 with motorists urged to remain vigilant while driving.
London Fire Brigade is also tackling blazes in Pinner, Southgate, Dagenham, Wembley, Eltham and Hendon.
Elsewhere, Dartford in Kent is also engulfed in smoke after a wildfire broke out near the A2.
Fire crews across the country have urged Brits to avoid barbecues and bonfires while the heatwave continues.
And the Met Office warned most of England is at "exceptional" risk of wildfires, aside from the South West and patches of the North.
10
Source: Read Full Article
