A large fire broke out in a field this evening following a day of record-breaking temperatures.

Footage showed flames lighting up the field between Abbots Langley and Bedmond and not far from the M25.

Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue have been on the scene with one of its officers speaking live on the BBC confirming they were aware of a "serious" fire near junction 21.

Video and photos showed flames snaking through the grass and smoke billowing into the air on a day where temperatures topped 40 degrees celcius in some parts of England for the first time since records began.

BREAKING: Boy in hospital after stabbing in Watford town centre this evening

Watford Observer:

The fire happened before 8pm and is now thought to have been brought under control.

Motorists reported on Twitter that they could spot the fire from the M25.

It comes after the fire service in Hertfordshire declared a "major incident" following a day of battling fires.

More than 240 emergency incidents were attended by firefighters - with many related to the extreme weather - prompting the major incident to be declared at around 6pm. The fire service has since confirmed it received around 450 emergency calls today.

Major fires were reported in parts of North Hertfordshire, as well as a field fire in Hemel Hempstead and a fire in Codicote where 12 fire engines have been in attendance.

A crash on the M1 near Hemel Hempstead required five fire engines to attend.

The major incident was called when it became apparent firefighters were dealing with double the number of incidents they would usually deal with. Added to that were the "extremely difficult conditions" fire crews have faced working in such high heat.

In some parts of Hertfordshire, welcome rain has fallen this evening.

The worst of the record-breaking heatwave is now over with temperatures dropping to the mid-to-high twenties tomorrow.