Prince William thanks firefighters battling wildfires across the UK
Prince William has personally thanked those on the front lines of the wildfire crisis gripping the country.
Writing on social media, the Prince of Wales said: "To the firefighters, emergency responders and volunteers battling wildfires across the UK, thank you."
He added: "Our thoughts are with everyone affected, particularly those who have lost their homes, and with those working tirelessly to protect communities, homes and the countryside."
The message was signed with a single "W," indicating it came directly from William rather than from his office.
The statement follows devastating blazes that have torn through communities across England and Wales in recent days.
A national government alert was issued on Friday evening, urging the public to avoid lighting anything that could trigger a wildfire.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham called on people to take the warning "seriously," noting it had been sent at the direct request of fire services.
The government has also imposed a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues, which ministers said had been responsible for serious fires this summer.
However, the Prime Minister acknowledged that not all of the current fires had been started by disposable barbecues.
The alert came as fire crews battled incidents spanning multiple regions simultaneously.
In Stourbridge, West Midlands, 19 homes were destroyed and another 18 sustained damage after a fire swept through grassland and woodland on Thursday before reaching residential properties.
West Midlands Fire Service chief fire officer Simon Tuhill described the blaze as among the most significant the service had ever responded to.
Four properties in Sandyford, Stoke-on-Trent, were also razed on Thursday, with additional homes damaged in the area.
In Willenhall, fires on Stonehouse Avenue and Harry Perks Street destroyed at least three homes and multiple gardens.
A major incident was declared near Llandovery in Carmarthenshire, where dozens of residents were evacuated and roads shut.
In Hampshire, crews entered their sixth day fighting a New Forest wildfire that first ignited on Sunday.
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service dealt with 16 emergencies on Thursday afternoon alone, including a blaze at Mousehold Heath.
Deputy Editor
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