Number of casualties and houses destroyed in fires across London unknown

Two “large-scale” incidents took place in Upminster and the village of Wennington, east London on Tuesday.

Smoke from a blaze pours across fields towards livestock in the village of Wennington, east London. London Fire Brigade has declared a major incident due to "a huge surge" in blazes across the capital amid the 40C heat. Picture date: Tuesday July 19, 2022.

Firefighters are unaware of the full extent of the damage caused by blazes which affected houses, schools and churches across London, with crews describing scenes as “absolute hell”.

Residents were being evacuated from their homes and people were taken to hospital amid fires in the capital as temperatures soared to more than 40C on Tuesday afternoon.