Moment huge flames engulf London railway line as heatwave raises wildfires risk with firefighters tackling infernos across Britain

By MARK DUELL, DEPUTY CHIEF REPORTER (DIGITAL) Published: 09:04, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 09:21, 13 July 2026 Residents were evacuated as homes went up in flames and trains were suspended after a huge fire broke out next to a railway line in London last night. Some 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines battled the blaze in Walthamstow as flames spread through the gardens and outbuildings of 30 properties. London Fire Brigade received 120 emergency calls after the inferno began on the railway embankment and several structures close to the line at 6.30pm. Fire crews managed to cool ten hazardous gas cylinders found on the properties to stop them exploding, and the blaze was brought under control at 10.30pm. The Overground's Weaver line was partially suspended last night and Transport for London confirmed there would be no trains for the whole of today between Hackney Downs and Chingford while engineers carry out urgent repairs to the track. The fire broke out near Vallentin Road and Shernhall Street, with nearby residents told to keep their windows and doors shut because of the significant smoke. Two rest centres were set up for evacuated locals. There were no reports of any injuries and the cause of the fire was being investigated today. Crews from Tottenham, Bethnal Green, Walthamstow, Chingford and surrounding fire stations all worked at the scene, with some using a 100ft (30m) turntable ladder which was deployed as a water tower to help extinguish the fires from above. LONDON: Residents watch as a fire breaks out near Vallentin Road in Walthamstow yesterday LFB assistant commissioner Tom Goodall, who was at the scene, said: 'We deployed a significant amount of resources to this fire and firefighters worked in hot and arduous conditions to bring it under control as swiftly as possible. 'One house was alight, and a second home has suffered damage to a rear extension. The gardens of around 30 properties have also unfortunately been affected by the fire. However, crews worked extremely hard to prevent the fire from spreading to further homes. 'A railway embankment was also alight and this has caused disruption to the Weaver London Overground line. We have worked closely with Transport for London and the British Transport Police to support passengers on stopped trains.' The fire led to 'Operation Willow Beck' being set up, which is a pre-determined 999 call distribution procedure scheme introduced in 2022 that can divert surplus emergency calls to unaffected fire and rescue service control rooms. It comes as the UK continues to swelter in its third heatwave of the year with emergency services warning of 'extreme' wildfire risks. Natural England's Fire Severity Index has put much of England at 'very high' risk of wildfires, with some areas in southern England and the Midlands at 'exceptional' risk. Derbyshire Fire and Rescue has been called out to two moorland wildfires in recent days, declaring a major incident due to the impact of one fire at Tintwistle Moor last night. The LFB dealt with a major blaze involving shrubbery at Stratford station last Friday evening, which also caused rail line closures. LFB also said it sent seven engines and a terrain support vehicle to a blaze in a field near Sevenoaks Road in Orpington yesterday afternoon. WALES: A wildfire near Sychnant Pass on Conwy Mountain yesterday results in evacuatations WEST SUSSEX: Crews tackle a fire at Devil's Dyke in South Downs National Park on Saturday LONDON: Fire crews battle a major blaze involving shrubbery at Stratford last Friday evening North Wales Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident due to the spread of a wildfire near Sychnant Pass on Conwy Mountain. People in parts of the village of Capelulo were advised to evacuate due to smoke. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called to a 'large fire in the open' on the South Downs near Eastbourne on Saturday, while teams also tackled a blaze at Devil's Dyke in South Downs National Park in West Sussex. Dave Swallow, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) wildfire deputy lead and lead tactical adviser, warned that the dry, sunny and hot conditions 'significantly increase wildfire risk'. The Met Office said record-breaking temperatures have led to 2026 becoming the first year to record 35C on six separate days. This broke the previous record set in 1976 and 2020 when five days were recorded with temperatures over 35C. This year is also the first to see temperatures of 35C or higher in three calendar months, and broke the record for most temperatures of 34C or higher, with nine so far this summer. It comes as hundreds of firefighters have battled one of Spain's deadliest wildfires, which has killed at least 12 people in Almeria province in the south of the country. Four of the dead are believed to be British.