Services had to be suspended (Image: Network Rail)
The train tracks caught fire after a spark ignited wooden beams amid high temperatures expected to reach 31C.
A fire on a bridge in Battersea, South London has caused services between Victoria and Brix to be suspended.
Elsewhere, Network Rail warned that trains may have to run more slowly due to high track temperatures.
Among the services already affected by the high temperatures are West Midlands train routes between Stratford-upon-Avon, Leamington Spa and Kidderminster, where speeds have been reduced to 20mph from the normal 60mph.
Speed restrictions are expected to remain in place until 8pm tonight.
Network Rail is understood to be monitoring a number of locations and may impose additional speed restrictions to reduce the risk of lines being twisted under extra stress in the heat.
The problems at Battersea are understood to have started when the bridge’s wheel beams caught fire – with Network Rail saying the girders were “very dry” amid the lack of rain and “although we don’t know for sure, it’s possible that an accidental spark had set them on fire’.
The Met Office has warned people to be careful with cigarette butts and barbecues amid fears the “parched” ground could easily catch fire, leading to bushfires.
It is believed the fire may have been started by a spark which ignited the ‘very dry’ beams (Image: Network Rail) Network Rail is monitoring the railways and has imposed some speed restrictions in light of the weather (Image: Network Rail)
Firefighters were called to the Queen’s Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire yesterday after a bushfire broke out.
Rangers praised fire crews who put out the blaze caused by an abandoned campfire, but were quick to criticize “irresponsible campers”.
A spokesman for the estate posted on Twitter: “Many thanks to the crews from @fire_scot who tackled this bushfire yesterday which was started by an abandoned campfire.
“Due to their quick response, the fire did not affect the nearby osprey’s nest.”
Forecasters predicted high temperatures of 33C in some areas this afternoon, with central, southern and eastern England experiencing the hottest temperatures of the heatwave.
Many thanks to the @fire_scot crews who extinguished this bushfire yesterday, started by an abandoned campfire. Thanks to their quick response, the fire did not affect the nearby osprey’s nest. pic.twitter.com/h8dJYiVqAc
— Balmoral Castle & Estate (@Balmoral_Castle) July 10, 2022
The hottest day of 2022 so far was June 17, when Heathrow recorded 32.7C. That record is expected to be broken today or in the coming days.
Weather models suggest it is possible – though unlikely – that temperatures could reach 40C in the UK next weekend, which would break the current British temperature record of 38.7C set in Cambridge in July 2019.
However, a Met Office spokesman said it takes computer modeling into account when making its forecasts and believes the hottest temperature will not reach 40C.
More: News
Experts have warned that the UK must urgently adapt to a future with more heatwaves, adding that hot spells have a greater potential impact than other extreme weather conditions such as flooding.
By midday today, temperatures had already reached 30C in Cambridge and London, with many taking to social media to complain about the heat.
It comes after a tropical night where temperatures were still 20C at midnight in London.
This is breaking news, more to follow soon… Check back soon for more updates.
Got a story? Contact our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you can submit your videos and photos here.
For more stories like this, check out our news page.
Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news. You can now also get articles from Metro.co.uk sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push notifications here.
Get the latest news you need to know, feel-good stories, analysis and more
Add Comment