Ten homes sustained damage following a fire in Ash Keys, Crawley, on Monday afternoon. Emergency services responded to the blaze, which began around 2:40 p.m., with eight fire engines dispatched to the scene. West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service reported that four of the properties suffered serious damage.
Firefighters worked to control and extinguish the fire. In light of the incident, the fire service reiterated warnings about the high Fire Severity Index in West Sussex, attributed to prolonged warm and dry weather. Residents are advised to avoid using disposable barbecues and bonfires in outdoor areas, to clear up litter, properly extinguish smoking materials, and to report any signs of fire immediately by calling 999.
Images from the scene showed significant smoke billowing into the air as firefighters worked to combat the flames. Blackened houses and exposed cladding were visible in the aftermath, with smoke still emerging from roofs hours after the fire started.
The incident occurred against a backdrop of extreme weather conditions. July 2026 was confirmed as the driest July on record for England and Wales. England received just 6.5mm of rain, 10% of its long-term average and less than half the previous record set in 1911. Wales recorded 9.3mm, 9% of its average. Southern England was particularly affected, with only 1.9mm of rainfall.
Much of the country remains under drought conditions, with wildfires also occurring across the UK. These dry conditions have led to millions of Britons facing hosepipe bans. The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber heat alerts for London, the South East, the East of England, and the East Midlands, warning of potential significant impacts on health and social care services, as well as a possible rise in deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations. Yellow heat alerts are in effect for other regions, indicating likely minor impacts on health and social care services.