Severe thunderstorms with thousands of lightning strikes and torrential rain swept across the UK overnight, causing several house fires and widespread travel disruption as the heatwave began. London skies recorded around 3,000 lightning strikes in the past 24 hours, while the South West of England was also heavily affected.
House Fire in Bristol After Suspected Lightning Strike
A house in Emersons Green, Bristol, was set alight after a suspected lightning strike yesterday evening. Footage shows the roof of a semi-detached house engulfed in flames as fire crews attempted to hose down the blaze. UK Dispatch reported on social media: 'House hit by lightning in Mangotsfield lyde green area of Bristol, emergency services are on scene putting out the fire luckily no injuries.'
Bristol Airport Closed Due to ATC Damage
Thunder forced Bristol Airport to close after damage to air traffic control systems, with knock-on effects on departing and arriving flights continuing today. Planes were unable to take off and land yesterday while engineers investigated a fault with the ATC systems. Flights have resumed today, but tracking website Flightradar24 shows delays to several flights throughout the day. The Met Office recorded over 27,000 lightning strikes over Bristol and Bath since Sunday morning.
London Flooding and House Fires
In London, the fierce overnight storm rattled over roofs as people tried to sleep. Flash flooding caused hazardous driving conditions this morning, with roads submerged after drains were overwhelmed by heavy rain. London Fire Brigade took around 400 calls since midnight after storms caused flooding across the capital, and there were at least two house fires believed to be due to lightning strikes.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: 'It has been a very busy night for our Control Officers, firefighters and officers. Shortly after 0400 hrs, due to a large number of calls received by the Brigade, we implemented our High-Volume Call procedure which means flooding calls where there is a risk to life are prioritised and crews then attend other calls as non-emergencies when they can. I’d like to thank all of those colleagues in other fire rescue services who assisted us overnight, as well as our own staff for their hard work and professionalism during this busy period. Whilst the worst of the rain now seems to have passed, we continue to work through outstanding calls as well as receive new incidents as Londoners wake to see some of the damage caused by the storms overnight.'
Travel Disruption on Tube and Railways
Travel has been hampered across the Tube this morning due to weather-related issues. The Elizabeth line is part suspended between Heathrow Terminals due to flooding, with severe delays between Paddington and Heathrow T5. The District line is suspended between Whitechapel and Wimbledon, Edgware Road and Earl’s Court, Earl’s Court and Kensington (Olympia), and Whitechapel and Ealing Broadway and Richmond. The Bakerloo, Circle, Hammersmith and City, and Metropolitan lines have severe delays. Raynes Park Bridge and Lower Down Road in Merton, southwest London, were flooded this morning, with the road under the railway bridge appearing blocked by deluge.
On the railways, people are urged to only travel if necessary on Wednesday and Thursday due to extreme weather, which could cause widespread disruption. Red and amber weather warnings are in place in parts of England and Wales until Thursday. National Rail said: 'If you are travelling on Wednesday 24 or Thursday 25 June to from or within the red weather warning zone, please only travel if absolutely necessary.'
