LONDON (AP) — Firefighters were tackling multiple fires in central England on Thursday after the U.K. recorded its hottest day of the year as an intense stretch of hot weather continued to grip Europe.

The wildfires across the West Midlands, which saw several houses burned to the ground, have been “one of the most significant” incidents the region’s fire service has ever dealt with, chief fire officer Simon Tuhill said.

A child and three firefighters were taken to the hospital following the wildfire in Stourbridge.

West Midlands mayor Richard Parker described the “multiple fires across our region” as an “extremely worrying and fast-moving situation."

BIGGAR - Amy Haynes is staring down a $1,300 ambulance bill for her son, but she says she shouldn't have to pay the entire cost.

Haynes' three-year-old, Nolan, came down with a fever of over 40 C on May 25 and required immediate medical attention.

The doctor in their hometown of Biggar, Sask., had recommended Nolan seek treatment in a larger centre that is more capable of handling children's cases.

"They were very concerned that the fever was going to lead to seizures and everything else they weren't equipped to handle," Haynes recalled at an Opposition NDP news conference Wednesday.

MONTREAL - Business events, sports competitions and festivals are helping Montreal tourism numbers soar this summer.

The city is on track for a record-breaking season, according to numbers from the May to July period collected by non-profit organization Tourisme Montréal.

The organization's CEO credits the plethora of activities and events drawing people to Montreal in the summer, from music festivals and sporting competitions to history and food.

“We say Toronto is the downtown of Canada, (but) Montreal is the playground of Canada. People come here to have fun,” said Yves Lalumière, president and CEO of Tourisme Montréal.

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Cristobal formed Wednesday in the Atlantic Ocean well west of the Azores, forecasters said.

There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said, and the storm was forecast to dissipate on Thursday.

Meanwhile, in the Pacific Ocean, the NHC initiated advisories on Potential Tropical Cyclone One-C, which is located about 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands.

The NHC said the system is expected to strengthen before nearing the Hawaiian Islands by late Friday.