health
‘It could have been a second Great Fire’: how east London blaze showed scale of UK wildfire threat
In record 40C heat on 19 July 2022, 18 homes were lost in village of Wennington – a signal for firefighters to adapt, but UK response remains fragmented
TL;DR
- 18 homes were destroyed in Wennington, east London, during record 40C heat on July 19, 2022, part of 600 wildfires across the UK.
- The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was overwhelmed, deploying all 142 fire engines and facing shortages of crews, hoses, and water.
- The event prompted the LFB to implement wildfire training and acquire specialized equipment, but further investment is needed.
- Modeling suggests fires could spread more extensively, posing a risk akin to a second Great Fire of London.
- Weaknesses in the UK's response include fragmented government responsibility for wildfire policy and issues with private water companies' supply to fire services.
- As many as 1.8 million homes in England are estimated to be at risk from wildfires due to their proximity to green spaces.
- The fire in Wennington resulted in the death of Terry Sabberton, whose lung disease was worsened by the heat, and his partner Lynn is rebuilding their home alone.