Record-setting temperatures sparked multiple fires causing chaos in one town this week with two blazes believed to have been set deliberately.

An incident at a UK Power Network substation near Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, left thousands of residents without electricity on the hottest day of the year yesterday.

People were unable to make calls, cook or run their fans or air conditioning due to the power outage.

More than 2,000 homes were affected, with some not having their power restored until 11pm, after the substation in Birchwood Avenue caught fire at around 3.40pm.

At 6.30pm some residents who were still without electricity were sent a message from the energy company, saying: "Just to let you know we're sending our customer support vehicle out to your area.

"This can provide hot water, some hot food or a microwave to heat your own, wifi, charging points and on site information. We'll let you know once it arrives."

Elsewhere, there were three other fires in the town including the fields at Southborough Common, and two suspected arson attacks at a farm and Ridgewaye fields.

Speaking about the substation fire, a spokesman for the fire service said: "Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of a fire spreading to vegetation and trees on Birchwood Avenue in Tunbridge Wells at 3.38pm on Tuesday.

"Two fire engines attended the incident, and crews used compressed air foam to tackle the blaze which is believed to have started accidentally at a nearby substation. The scene was passed into the care of UK Power."

The blaze was put out at around 6.30pm.

Earlier in the day crews were called to a grass fire in Church Road.

A spokesman added: "The fire service was called to reports of a grass fire on Church Road in Tunbridge Wells at 11.52am.

"Three fire engines were sent to the scene, and crews used hose reel jets and beaters to extinguish the fire, which had spread to an area of grass, trees and undergrowth.

"No casualties were reported. The exact cause has not been confirmed."

Villages in and around the Weald and Tunbridge Wells were left without proper running water, including Fountain Lodge care home in London Road, Southborough.

An appeal was shared on Facebook to help the Bupa run site find some water for its 74 residents after theirs was running out.

An amazing amount of support saw this wish fulfilled as kind residents dropped off water for the home's staff and patients, who were also affected by the power outage.

Some of the fires in the area have been reported as suspicious including one row of homes near Ridgewaye fields where youths were reportedly seen starting a fire nearby.

One resident said: "I walked in to my back garden and could here cracking I thought perhaps the heat had set some thing alight in the allotments.

"So I popped my head over the fence asking my neighbour if she can here it and she pointed to the corner where I could see flames and two boys.

"As I shouted to them 'what are you doing?!' they ran across the field.

"I jumped the fence and made my daughter put the hose on, but the pressure wasn't strong enough so we had to use the water from the pool.

"If we didn’t think fast it would have been a disaster it was spreading so quick."

The cause of the incident at the farm has not been confirmed but is understood to be suspicious.

A UK Power Networks spokesman said: "Engineers worked quickly and safely to restore electricity supplies in Southborough following a fire at a substation at 3.13pm yesterday.

"After supplies were initially interrupted to 2,025 customers, most supplies were reconnected in stages by 5.30pm and the final 120 customers had power again by 10.03pm.

"We understand how difficult it is to be without electricity and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"Our support vehicle provided hot food and drinks, temporary power supply, wifi, help and advice to customers whilst their power was being restored."

Bupa has been approached for comment.