Fury after millions of phones ring out with wildfire emergency alert leaving Brits fume alarm was ‘absolute abuse’

BRITS have been left fuming after a blaring emergency alert suddenly ripped through millions of phones tonight, warning of the soaring risk of wildfires. The government urged people to “not light anything that could spark a fire”, including barbecues, campfires and fireworks, as Britain battles another spell of scorching heat. Brits are fuming over the wildfire alert which pierced through phones today Credit: Alamy It comes as wildfires and blazes have rattled the country in recent weeks But the deafening siren accompanying the alert immediately sparked a backlash, with some questioning whether such an ear-splitting warning was necessary. One furious Brit said: “@GOVUK absolute abuse of the Severe Alert system, which is now being turned off on my phone. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! “You’ve totally undermined the purpose of the system. Send a text, for sure, but don’t abuse emergency broadcast systems to tell us about not using BBQs. Another fumed: “The noise accompanying that emergency alert feels overkill. “Lot of older people or those hiding phones for their safety possibly put at risk. Does it have to come with a loud noise?” A third blasted the siren saying it sounded more like a warning to flee for your life than a reminder to put away the barbecue. They wrote: “It’s for emergencies, so the noise seems reasonable. Whether it should have been used on this occasion is a different matter One more commented: “The noise was giving ‘you have 10 minutes to evacuate your home’ not ‘put the BBQ away’.” Most read in The Sun Several homes were gutted by the wildfire The emergency alert hit phones across the country today at around 7pm The blaring alert pinged phones across the country at around 7pm today, accompanied by a piercing siren designed to grab attention. Brits were alerted even if their phone was put on silent, with the vibration lasting around ten seconds. It warned: “Even a small flame can rapidly develop into a major wildfire placing lives, homes, businesses and emergency responders at risk.” The alert added: “Recipients will also be urged to report any fire immediately by calling 999.” It comes as wildfires and blazes have rattled the country in recent weeks. Just yesterday, a total of 11 major fire incidents were reported in the past 24 hours in the West Midlands alone. A total of 19 homes were completely destroyed and 18 others damaged as families forced to evacuate as the fire spread across Stourbridge, West Midlands, yesterday afternoon. But residents of the UK were left almost hysterical at the lack of severity of the alert. Footage shows flames decimating houses in Stourbridge yesterday Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that the request came directly from Fire and Rescue services Credit: Getty Another Briton raged online: “What a misuse of the system. You hear the emergency alert klaxon and you think Putin’s finally launched the missiles, and then you check your phone and it’s the government asking you to not have a barbecue.” Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that the request “came directly from Fire and Rescue Services”. The Labour PM said: “This evening, an Emergency Alert has been sent to people across England and Wales as the wildfire risk remains very high. “I was in Stourbridge today and saw first-hand the devastating impact these fires have had on people’s homes and lives. “Our priority now is to keep everyone safe and prevent more fires from starting. During this period of extreme heat, I’m asking everyone to take extra care. “Please do not light any fires in gardens, the countryside or other open spaces, including parks, moorland and wooded areas. “Our firefighters and emergency responders are working around the clock in incredibly difficult conditions. “We can all help them. Please take the Emergency Alert seriously and follow the guidance in place.” Comment now