Heat records tumbled and firefighters faced new blazes as much of Western Europe baked in a gruelling heatwave. The UK has recorded temperatures of over 40 degree Celsius for the first time.<br />''<br />''Temperature hit 40.3C at Coningsby in Lincolnshire, while 33 other locations went past the UK's previous highest temperature of 38.7C, set in 2019.<br />''<br />''Several fire services declared major incidents after a surge in fires. A major blaze in Wennington, in East London, left homes gutted. Some rail services were cancelled after tracks overheated or buckled and overhead cables failed.<br />''<br />''Hundreds of firefighters tackled fires across London, including in Wennington, where a grass fire spread to properties.<br />''<br />''Germany also saw its hottest day of the year so far while Portugal raised its death toll after days of excess heat.<br />''<br />''In France, 64 different areas registered record-high temperatures on Monday.<br />''<br />''In Belgium, a fire broke out in dunes at the Belgian resort of De Haan, setting several vehicles alight. Central and north-western Spain has also been ravaged by wildfires.<br />''<br />''In Greece, a wildfire fuelled by gale-force winds raged on the mountainous region of Penteli, near Athens. It has damaged homes and and prompted local authorities to evacuate at least four areas and a hospital.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Forecasters in Italy are warning of temperatures as high as 40-42C between Wednesday and Friday. Several wildfires have already been reported in the country, and blazes that broke out on Monday evening in Tuscany were still raging on yesterday afternoon.</span><br />