LIGHTNING BRINGS HEATWAVE TO A HALT
Grass fires rage before storms unleash more weather chaos
SCORCHED Britain erupted in flames yesterday as the tinderbox conditions sparked an outbreak of grass fires.
But in a day of topsy-turvy forecasts, the Environment Agency put some areas on alert for “dangerous flooding” as lightning strikes finally brought the heatwave to an end.
Emergency crews were under “tremendous pressure” yesterday as hundreds of acres caught fire on “Furnace Friday”.
In south Wales, firefighters tackling a burning mountainside were given police protection after suffering verbal abuse from yobs.
It came as temperatures rose to a peak of 94.5F (34.7C) at Tibenham, Norfolk.
Yesterday thousands of holidaymakers faced long waits to get to the Continent after Channel Tunnel shuttle trains were delayed for a second day.
Domestic rail passengers also endured hours of misery when a lightning strike damaged signalling equipment in York.
In separate swimming accidents linked to the hot weather, one teenager was found dead and a massive coastal search was mounted for a 14-year-old boy.
Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “The heatwave conditions are coming to an end. But it’s another hot day in the East and South-east today with temperatures expected to reach 96.8 or 98.6F in places.”
Today is expected to be dry and sunny in the South-east, but the North and West are likely to see heavy showers with thunder.
In Dorset, more than 150 firefighters battled two heath blazes which swept through a nature reserve and skirted a primary school. And investigators believe a blaze at Ferndown Common, a belt of heathland, was caused by a lightning strike on Thursday night.
At one point, plumes of black smoke could be seen for miles around and there were fears residents would have to be evacuated.
Witness Simon Blaxall said: “I heard a huge thunderclap and then a plume of smoke went up straight away, which makes me think it could be lightning.”
Dorset Fire Service incident commander Dave Graham said: “We continue to advise the public to keep windows and doors closed. I would also advise anybody who doesn’t live in the area to avoid Ferndown Common.” Staff at the Dorset Wildlife Trust, which manages the common, said it could take years for the heath to recover. Communications Officer Sally Welbourn said: “We may not understand the true effect this fire has had on wildlife for months yet.”
Earlier, 50 firefighters battled another heath inferno which raged near Haymoor Junior School in Poole – luckily unoccupied because of the school holidays.
In Hampshire, firefighters battled a blaze at a farm in Crondall, while at Shiplake, Oxon, investigators said a field fire was caused by an exploding combine harvester. Police in Gwent stood guard after fire crews were verbally abused as they tackled flames tearing across Twmbarlwm mountain in Caerphilly. Officers threatened to arrest “troublemakers” who ignored a dispersal order lasting until 5pm today.
Matt Jones, head of South Wales fire crime unit, blamed arsonists, saying: “There are fires occurring as quickly as they are put out. Lives of the individuals setting the fires are at risk, they are also putting the firefighters at unnecessary risk, and the local communities.” Near Llangollen, police warned that people taking photos of a blaze on Llantysilio mountain were hindering firefighters. Traffic queues developed after the fire forced police to close the picturesque Horseshoe Pass.
In Worksop, Notts, a family fled after their house burst into flames when a lightning bolt struck its chimney during a storm. Neighbours heard a “huge bang” as flames shot into an upstairs bedroom, but the fire was contained because the door was shut. Drivers heading to the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone, Kent, faced 90-minute checkin delays, then a two-and-a-halfhour wait on trains to France.
The lightning strike on signalling equipment at York meant trains between Leeds and the city could not run for several hours.
As the great summer getaway began, London North Eastern Rail-
way urged customers to postpone journeys until the weekend, while Northern advised against travel in the Yorkshire area. In Essex, the father of missing 14-year-old Ben Quartermaine begged for help to find him after he disappeared in the sea off Clacton Pier on Thursday.
His friend was rescued by a lifeboat crew after the emergency unfolded. Ben’s father, Mick Smith, said: “I just want to find our son wherever he may be and to thank all emergency services for all the time and effort.” Police recovered a body from the Blue Lagoon lake in Bishops Itchington, near Leamington Spa, Warwicks, yesterday. It followed a search for a 17-yearold boy who got into difficulty after going for a swim.
Last night, the Met Office warned that heavy rain and thunderstorms could endanger life and cause sudden flooding and power cuts, as forecasters upgraded a weather warning. Forecasters issued an alert for parts of England, with intense storms set to bring the heatwave to an end.
They said torrential downpours were possible, with as much as 1.2in of rainfall in an hour, along with hail, frequent lightning and strong, gusty winds.
A warning for thunderstorms covering London and the East was in place until 2am today. The Met Office said: “Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life.”