Pictures: Everything we know on devastating fires and major emergency incident following record temperatures

Wildfires destroyed homes across South Yorkshire as the fire service battled to cope with a devastating end to the heatwave.

Published 20th Jul 2022, 09:40 BST

'At least four' firefighters were hospitalised due to heat exhaustion on a 'brutal day' as temperatures topped 39C in Sheffield.

An emergency incident was declared as wildfires were reported in Doncaster, Sheffield, Barnsley, and Rotherham. Here's what happened on a day which Chief Fire Officer Chris Kirby described as ‘brutal’.

A major incident was declared in South Yorkshire yesterday due to wildfires which swept the county and destroyed homes. Pic SYFR

1. Untitled-2.jpg

A major incident was declared in South Yorkshire yesterday due to wildfires which swept the county and destroyed homes. Pic SYFR Photo: .

Fire started on scrubland before spreading to outbuildings, fences and homes on Strauss Crescent, Maltby.
Dronfield Fire Station of Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service was first in attendance, joined by crews from Aston Park, Thorne and Parkway.

2. Strauss Crescent

Fire started on scrubland before spreading to outbuildings, fences and homes on Strauss Crescent, Maltby. Dronfield Fire Station of Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service was first in attendance, joined by crews from Aston Park, Thorne and Parkway. Photo: SYFR

A spokesman said at least four firefighters were hospitalised ‘for the effects of heat exhaustion’ on Tuesday. (SYFR)

3. Firefighters hospitalised

A spokesman said at least four firefighters were hospitalised ‘for the effects of heat exhaustion’ on Tuesday. (SYFR) Photo: SYFR

A major incident was declared in South Yorkshire yesterday due to wildfires which swept the county during the heatwave

4. Major incident

A major incident was declared in South Yorkshire yesterday due to wildfires which swept the county during the heatwave Photo: SYFR

South Yorkshire Sheffield Rotherham Barnsley Doncaster