Fire alert as temperature may hit 24C

HOT weather is set to bring highs of 24C to the UK as fire services continue to warn of wildfires across the country.

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The Met Office said temperatures would peak today in London and south-east England, which could make it the hottest day of the year so far.

But London Fire Brigade (LFB) urged caution and warned against using barbecues, saying the wildfire risk was “heightened” due to low rainfall.

It comes as firefighters continue to battle major blazes in Northern Ireland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service issued “extreme” wildfire warnings yesterday in south-west, eastern, central and northern Scotland.