Fire risks, water shortages as heatwave hits central Europe

VIENNA, July 31: Central Europe was sweltering under the latest heatwave in an already record-breaking summer on Friday, with several countries taking steps to reduce the risk of fires and ease pressure on water and energy networks.

In Hungary, Prime Minister Peter Magyar has called on businesses to voluntarily reduce their electricity consumption, outdoor fires have been banned and decorative lighting will be switched off on state buildings to save energy.

Kata Serfozo, 36, a designer on maternity leave in Budapest, said she was spending "a lot of time outdoors in the shade" because it feels "much better than staying at home (with) the curtains drawn, the blinds down, and the shades closed".�" AFP