'It's frightening': Irish woman in Madrid warns of heatstroke risk as temperatures soar in Europe

Firefighters tackle a wildfire in the Fuente de Faro de Brantuas area in Ponteceso, northwest Spain on Sunday, August 3. 'Firefighters are working around the clock, and there's a real sense of urgency and solidarity.' Photo: Gustavo de la Paz/Europa Press

An Irish woman living in Madrid has said the heat this summer has been "unlike anything I've ever experienced", describing how her son ended up in hospital with heatstroke.

As wildfires continue to burn across mainland Europe, with temperatures reaching up to 44C in some areas, Laura O'Reilly has told the Irish Examiner of her experience in the Spanish capital. The Dublin woman said some of the fires have come "surprisingly close" to populated areas - including parts of Madrid's outskirts.