Temperatures have breached 40C in the UK for the first time on Tuesday amid the continued heatwave, figures show.

A new provisional UK record temperature has been recorded as 40.3C at Coningsby, in Lincolnshire.

The Met Office earlier revealed that the UK had experienced its warmest night on record on Monday, with temperatures remaining in the mid-20s.

7.06pm

Local resident Janet Hickey, 70, who has terminal pancreatic cancer, said she was forced to leave all her cancer drugs behind as they were evacuated because of the fire in Wennington.

She said: “I’ve got all my cancer drugs in the fridge.”

Her husband Patrick Hickey, 71, added: “We had to leave everything.

Summer weather July 19th 2022
(Yui Mok/PA)

“We’re hoping against hope that our house is still there.”

Mrs Hickey said they are feeling “devastated”, adding: “We’ve been living there 50 years. I’m terminally ill so it’s not great to lose all that. I’m also an artist and all my paintings are there.”

Growing tearful she later added that she had spent 50 years building her garden and buying flowers from fairs to plant in it.

7.04pm

A group of people were standing by a roundabout off the A13 with horses on leads as the fire in Wennington spread.

Lizzie Pittman, from Aveley in Essex, who works at some stables by the roundabout, said she was looking after five horses who had been removed from their stables in Wennington, which had burnt down.

Summer weather July 19th 2022
(Yui Mok/PA)

She told the PA news agency: “This is your worst nightmare. You can see it getting closer and closer. People are losing their houses but that’s bricks and mortar. People are losing their livestock.”

Local residents could also be heard talking to firefighters about removing other livestock from the path of the fire, with one man directing a horse trailer to pick up some pigs.

6.55pm

In addition to the fire in Wennington, there have been:
  • 30 fire engines dealing with a grass fire on Pea Lane in Upminster
  • 12 fire engines tackling a fire involving garden fencing and trees on Uxbridge Road in Pinner
  • 10 fire engines tackling a restaurant fire on Green Lanes in Southgate
  • Eight fire engines tackling a grass fire on Oaks Road in Croydon
  • Eight fire engines tackling a grass fire on Ballards Road in Dagenham
  • Eight fire engines tackling a fire on The Broadway in Wembley
  • Six fire engines tackling a grass fire on Sunningfields Crescent in Hendon
  • Four fire engines tackling a grass fire on Chapel View in Croydon
  • Four fire engines tackling a fire on Sidcup Road in Eltham

6.42pm

Pictures continue to come in from the fire in Wennington.

Summer weather July 19th 2022
(Yui Mok/PA)
Summer weather July 19th 2022
(Yui Mok/PA)

6.32pm

Cattle on a Yorkshire farm being sprayed with a fine mist of water as they cool off.

Cows being cooled down by a fine mist
(Paul Tompkins/PA)

6.28pm

Firefighters have described blazes tearing through homes and buildings in London as “absolute hell” – with residents evacuated, people taken to hospital and a major incident declared.

As temperatures in the capital soared to more than 40C on Tuesday afternoon, “several significant” incidents occurred, with people urged not to have barbecues or bonfires due to the “unprecedented” challenges crews face.

Firefighters at the scene of a fire in Wennington
(Yui Mok/PA)

Residents were evacuated from their homes in the village of Wennington, east London, on Tuesday afternoon, where black smoke billowed into the air, while flames destroyed buildings and ravaged nearby fields.

A firefighter at the scene, asked by the PA news agency what conditions were like, replied: “absolute hell”, while those affected by the blaze said it had been spreading “fast”.

6.27pm

Ed Miliband, Labour’s shadow secretary of state for climate change, said that extreme hot weather like this will become the “new normal” under climate change.

He also warned that the Conservative Government has failed to prepare the UK for this type of weather.

“Reports of fires across the country are deeply distressing. We must do everything we can to support the families and communities affected. I urge everyone to stay safe and salute the courage of our fire services,” he said.

A man jumps from the pier in Bournemouth
A man jumps from the pier in Bournemouth (Steve Parsons/PA)

“The frightening truth is that in time we will come to see today not as the hottest summer ever but the new normal. Britain is in no way prepared for this new reality because of years of neglect by this Government.

“And while Britain boils, the Conservative leadership candidates engage in fantasy climate denial that will lead to higher energy bills, damage our security, and leaves the burden of extreme weather events to future generations. Britain needs a fresh start.

People queuing for ice cream at Loch Lomond
People queuing for ice cream at Loch Lomond (Andrew Milligan/PA)

“Labour will put tackling the climate emergency at the centre of our offer to the British people, in order to create millions of good jobs in the UK’s industrial heartlands, bring down energy bills with home-grown clean power, and protect our children and grandchildren.”

6.25pm

Visitors continued to come to the seaside town of Portrush on Northern Ireland’s north coast on Tuesday despite rain showers bringing the heatwave to an abrupt end.

Visitors continued to come to the seaside town of Portrush on Northern Ireland’s north coast on Tuesday despite rain showers bringing the heatwave to an abrupt end
(Rebecca Black/PA)

6.20pm

Nine of the UK’s 12 hottest days on record since 1884 have occurred within the last two decades.

Tuesday’s provisional record high at Coningsby in Lincolnshire of 40.3C means that four of the top five hottest days have taken place between 2019 and 2022.

Only one of top 12 hottest days took place before 1990.

WEATHER Heatwave
(PA Graphics)

Met Office figures show that spikes in the UK’s daily maximum temperature are becoming both more frequent and more recent.

A similar trend is evident in figures showing the UK’s annual average maximum temperature.

6.08pm

More pictures of the fire in Wennington – and its aftermath – have come in.

Summer weather July 19th 2022
(Yui Mok/PA)

Around 100 firefighters tackled the blaze in the village of Wennington, east London, on Tuesday afternoon, with television footage showing black smoke billowing into the air, with buildings and fields on fire.

Summer weather July 19th 2022
(Yui Mok/PA)

Nigel Arnell, Professor of Climate Change Science, University of Reading, said the hot, dry and windy conditions meant the smallest spark could set off a fire.

Summer weather July 19th 2022
(Yui Mok/PA)

6.02pm

Heavily-dressed ceremonial guards were withdrawn from their positions for a number of hours in the sweltering heat as temperatures topped 40C.

Soldiers, who wear a uniform including bearskin hats, were allowed to shelter from the sun in the hottest period on Tuesday.

A member of F Company Scots Guards swelters in the heat during the Changing of the Guard ceremony on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, central London
A member of F Company Scots Guards swelters in the heat during the Changing of the Guard ceremony on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, central London (Victoria Jones/PA)

The Ministry of Defence said the guards stationed at the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace and Windsor Castle were withdrawn at noon “given the extreme temperature” but remained on duty in the Royal Guardrooms to act in support of police if required.

Members of the Household Cavalry used electric fans to help them cope with the baking temperatures in London.

Troops were spotted looking red in the face and sweating while standing watch in their heavy ceremonial uniforms and helmets at Horse Guards Parade in Westminster.

5.53pm

The five hottest UK days on record have all come in the past 20 years.

The warmest was today.

WEATHER Heatwave
(PA Graphics)

5.49pm

The Prime Minister has paid tribute to firefighters and frontline workers.

Boris Johnson tweeted: “My thanks go to all the firefighters and frontline services who are working incredibly hard to keep us safe on this scorching day.

“I urge everyone to continue to follow the advice from emergency services – including @LondonFire as they respond to incidents.”

5.37pm

Cows on a farm in Gloucestershire take shade during the heatwave
Cows on a farm in Gloucestershire take shade during the heatwave (David Barton/PA)

5.31pm

It’s not just runways and roads melting in this heat, it’s our hearts too. This adorable little fella has been rescued by London Wildlife Protection:

5.30pm

5.23pm

BREAKING: Scotland has experienced its hottest day on record, with the temperature reaching 34.8C in Charterhall in the Scottish Borders, according to provisional Met Office figures.

Sunbathers at Loch Lomond, in the village of Luss in Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Sunbathers at Loch Lomond, in the village of Luss in Argyll and Bute, Scotland (Andrew Milligan/PA)

5.15pm

The Met Office said the highest provisional temperature recorded in Wales so far on Tuesday was 36.2C at Hawarden Airport, while in Scotland, Eskdalemuir saw highs of 32.3C and Murlough in Northern Ireland reached 26.6C.

But forecasters said these temperatures, some of which were recorded on Tuesday morning, could rise further through the afternoon.

4.59pm

Wennington fire
Smoke from a blaze pours across fields towards livestock in the village of Wennington, east London (Yui Mok/PA)

4.53pm

4.49pm

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue have also declared a major incident:

4.48pm

BREAKING – A new provisional UK record temperature has been recorded as 40.3C at Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, the Met Office said.

4.47pm

The body of a teenage boy was recovered from the River Thames in Richmond, west London, at around 3.30pm on Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police said.

The force said it is believed to be that of a teenage boy who was seen to enter the water on Monday afternoon.

“His next of kin are aware and are being supported by specialist officers. Officers will assist with preparing a report for the coroner.”

4.41pm

Summer weather July 19th 2022
Scores of people came to Brighton Beach on the warmest day of the year (Gareth Fuller/PA)

4.31pm

A fresh warning from the NHS to be wary of the signs of heat exhaustion:

4.27pm

The River Cam
People jump into the Cam in Cambridge (Jacob King/PA)

4.20pm

London Fire Brigade had declared a major incident amid a “huge surge” in blazes during the record temperatures.

4.17pm

Network Rail said passenger numbers today were around 40% lower than during the same day last week.

There is a lineside fire in Harrow, north-west London.

Overhead electric wires are down in Rugby, Birmingham and Carlisle, leading to a number of trains being trapped.

Emergency evacuations of passengers are ongoing.

4.14pm

Clacton Pier
Clacton Pier in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, where a swimmer is still missing at sea (Sam Russell/PA)

4.11pm

A Met Office expert has said temperatures of 40C in the UK would be “virtually impossible” without climate change.

Professor Stephen Belcher said: “I wasn’t expecting to see this in my career, but the UK has just exceeded 40C for the first time.”

The Met Office chief scientist said research had showed that “it’s virtually impossible for the UK to experience 40C in an undisrupted climate, but climate change driven by greenhouse gases has made these extreme temperatures possible, and we’re actually seeing this possibility now”.

4.03pm

4.01pm

The Met Office said: “Temperatures have now risen above 40C at a number of UK sites, however fresher conditions are now arriving across the far west of the country.”

At 3pm, Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, had equalled the 40.2C seen at Heathrow.

The temperature at Kew Gardens, in south-west London, had risen to 40.1C.

3.57pm

Bournemouth
A woman cools off in the sea in Bournemouth as many people in the UK suffered extremely high temperatures (Steve Parsons/PA)

3.55pm

Residents have spoken of “unbearable” heat in the first village to break the national temperature record in the current heatwave last week.

The small village of Charlwood, in Surrey, recorded a temperature of 39.1C on Friday morning, making it the first to break the previous record of 38.7C, set in Cambridgeshire in 2019.

One resident, Mazie Alden, 25, who runs the Half Moon pub with her father and his partner, said: “We’ve found it unbearable but we’re coping. We’ve got fans going and cold water so we’re trying our best at the pub with our staff as well.

“We’ve had a few customers that are sitting in the pub because obviously the fans are on and then we’ve got the crazy couple that are just sitting outside in the sun, which I don’t know how they’re doing that.”

3.53pm

3.46pm

Extra police patrols will be brought in at a Lancashire quarry following reports more than 400 people gathered there on Monday.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said the patrols would be at Jamestone Quarry in Haslingden on Tuesday, along with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service officers who would be diverting people away and giving water safety messaging.

Sergeant Craig Leech said: “We know that people may not agree with us, but two teenagers have died in the North West in the last two weeks.

“One dip in the water could cost you, or your child, their life and it is not worth it.”

3.35pm

Low water levels at a Devon lake
A view of low water levels at Roadford Lake in Devon (Andrew Matthews/PA)

3.33pm

3.32pm

All trains between London Euston and Milton Keynes have been suspended as emergency services deal with a lineside fire.

The blaze was caused when 25,000 volt overhead electric cables came down in Harrow.

Network Rail said all services to and from London Euston are suspended until further notice.

3.23pm

Parliament Square
A man carries his suit jacket as he walks across Parliament Square, central London (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

3.16pm

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the city’s Fire Brigade is under “immense pressure” in response to a huge surge in blazes across the capital.

3.08pm

2.53pm

Sandall Park
A man swims in a lake in Sandall Park, Doncaster (Danny Lawson/PA)

2.51pm

2.50pm

It seems that the increased heat has not had too much of an impact on berry production, with growers able to meet the demand.

Nick Marston, chairman of British Berry Growers, said: “Generally, yields will be a bit lower as berries ripen faster and don’t quite make the same size as if the berries were left to grow longer.

“However, the fast ripening creates a flush of crop which, if the good weather is maintained for a few days, which it has, then this meets an increased consumer demand.

“Usually, if the sun is shining then we see more Brits buying berries, outdoor entertaining, summer desserts etc, are all good berry buying occasions.”

2.39pm

Paddleboarder
A paddleboarder in the water of Loch Lomond, just off the village of Luss (Andrew Milligan/PA)

2.32pm

The 16-year-old boy who died in Bray Lake near Maidenhead in Berkshire on Monday has been named by Thames Valley Police as Sean Norbert Anyanwu.

He was described in a brief tribute by his family as “the light of the family … he was everything we could have asked for”.

They said: “We are devastated by his loss and we would ask for our privacy to be respected while we grieve.”

2.21pm

A summer fire
Firefighters attend a fire on Dartford Marshes in Kent (Adrian Stirrup/PA)

2.19pm

The heatwave has sparked a spending spree on summer essentials, with sales of fans, ice cream, paddling pools and burgers rocketing.

Waitrose has had its biggest week for ice creams, with sales up 36% year on year, while John Lewis’s sales of fans and air conditioning units are up 709% year on year.

Asda sold at least 4.5 million sausages and 1.4 million burgers last week, while charcoal sales increased by 400%.

2.13pm

Earlier, the Prince of Wales voiced concern over the climate crisis amid the stifling heat:

2.08pm

2.03pm

Fountains in Trafalgar Square
That’s one way to cool off: a woman is sprayed by fountains in Trafalgar Square (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

2pm

Meteorologist Tomasz Schafernaker says he saw a brief ‘dust devil’ – a whirlwind – in the park earlier.

1.55pm

A man uses an envelope to shade himself from the sun in Chinatown, central London
A man uses an envelope to shade himself from the sun in Chinatown, central London (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

1.46pm

Sage advice from recently retired football manager (and cyclist, it seems) Neil Warnock, who has urged people to stay hydrated and healthy.

1.45pm

The Met Office said temperatures in many other places of England had already exceeded the previous record of 38.7C from 2019 by 1pm on Tuesday.

As well as the 40.2C seen at Heathrow, Charlwood in Surrey hit 39.9C, Kew Gardens saw 39.6C and Wisley in Surrey recorded 39.3C.

Chertsey in Surrey and Northolt in west London both saw 39.2C.

1.40pm

A woman sunbathes on the crowded beach at Brighton
A woman sunbathes on the crowded beach at Brighton (Gareth Fuller/PA)

1.36pm

A swimmer is missing at sea and five others have been pulled from the water close to Clacton Pier in Essex, the Coastguard said.

Emergency services have been called to the scene and a major search and rescue is underway to find the man after six people got into difficulty off the coast.

1.31pm

1.29pm

Less punishing – but no less spectacular – conditions were welcomed by people in the South West earlier today.

Lucy McRobert, communications manager for the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, told the PA news agency she first heard the “rumblings” of thunder and lightning early this morning.

“I don’t think we’ve ever been so relieved to see the sky go black and the rain start pouring,” she said.

1.27pm

Fresher conditions are on the way for some parts, according to the Met Office:

1.25pm

The River Lea
A man takes his dog for a paddle in the River Lea near Hackney Marshes in east London (Yui Mok/PA)

1.20pm

Interim deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Miriam Deakin, said the heatwave was having an impact on urgent and emergency care and some planned care.

She said: “Across the country we are seeing hospitals having to scale back the number of planned surgeries as operating theatres are too hot.

“Trusts are having to install industrial cooling units, mounting fans, and trying to cool down IT server rooms.”

1.08pm

Woman in the sea
Marisa Santos cools off in the sea in Bournemouth (Steve Parsons/PA)

1.05pm

Despite the hottest day on record in the UK, the Queen carried on with her royal duties.

The 96-year-old welcomed the new US ambassador Jane Hartley from the safety of inside Windsor Castle during the virtual audience on Tuesday.

1.01pm

12.58pm

BREAKING – The temperature has exceeded 40C in the UK for the first time on record, with 40.2C reported at Heathrow at 12.50pm on Tuesday, according to provisional Met Office figures.

12.57pm

A man under an umbrella
This man has the right idea in central London (Dominic Lipinski/PA)