London fires: String of blazes break out across South East in ‘major incident’ destroying homes as smoke blows over M25

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.

Provisional Met Office figures show the the mercury nudged 40.3C at Coningsby, Lincs, – 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.

Around 100 firefighters are working to extinguish the flames in Wennington 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.

Locals who haven’t been evacuated are being urged to keep their windows closed and stay indoors.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said a major incident is in place “in response to a huge surge in fires across the capital today”.

He said the London Fire Brigade is under “immense pressure” and said the situation is “critical”.

In Twickenham, smoke could be seen billowing into the sky as police were pictured carrying and helping people away from the scene.

Flames engulfed the scene at a golf course as onlookers watched on.

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.

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.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue have also declared a major incident and warned they will not be attending automatic fire alarms.