Fire crews are battling the blazes tonight in East Sussex as big thunderstorms batter the UK after record-breaking high temperatures across the country this week
Two houses have been set alight after being struck by lightning in the early hours of the morning.
The homes, both in East Sussex, are ‘well alight’ with four fire crews being rushed to the scene of each blaze on Saturday, June 27.
Crews remain at the scene tonight – they have urged the public to avoid the area while emergency services try to bring the incident under control.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue said in a statement: “Lightning is reported to have started fires in Eastbourne and in Bexhill.
“East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called at 12.03am on 27 June 2026 to a roof alight on a house in Selmeston Road, Eastbourne. At 12.19am, we were called to Long Avenue in Bexhill following reports a house was alight after being struck by lightning.
“Joint Fire Control have received multiple 999 calls. Crews are working hard, with four fire engines sent to each incident.
“At this time there are no reports of injuries. Please avoid the areas.”
It comes as the Met Office said the third consecutive day of June’s record-breaking temperatures came as parts of the UK were transitioning to more of a westerly influence, bringing the risk of thunderstorms.
Met Office chief forecaster Andy Page said: “The UK is seeing a gradual shift in conditions over the weekend, with those to the southeast of England retaining the warmth the longest, where an amber extreme heat warning remains in force through much of Saturday, though peaks are more likely to be in the low 30s Celsius.”
Western parts of Scotland and much of Northern Ireland will see rain for a time on Saturday, with showers likely spreading further south in places on Sunday, though these will be fairly light in nature.
Those to the south east could remain dry through the weekend, although there is a risk of thunderstorms here before temperatures return more towards average later on Sunday and into Monday.
Friday was confirmed by the Met Office as the UK’s hottest June day on record, with a provisional temperature of 37.3C recorded in Santon Downham, Suffolk, surpassing the high of 36.7C recorded in Merryfield, Somerset, on Thursday.
