Brian May thanks firefighters for saving his house from ‘going up in flames’

Brian May’s home and music studio have been saved from raging wildfires in Surrey, the Queen guitarist has revealed.

Blazes have broken out across the UK over the weekend as temperatures soared past 30C.

In the music star’s home county, firefighters battled the flames at Chobham Common nature reserve.

In an Instagram post, May explained that if it weren’t for their valiant efforts, he could have lost his “entire life”.

The 73-year-old wrote: "I never imagined it could happen here in leafy, and normally damp, Surrey, England.

"We supported the fight against the immense fires in Australia, and watched sadly as fires ravaged California, but to see this happen in my own home county has been shocking and traumatic."

"Today we were able to begin to thank the amazing firefighters who risked their lives to contain this huge and treacherous wild furnace on the heath land of Sunningdale Golf Course - which actually adjoins my property.

"Yesterday, I was rescuing as many precious things from my house as was practicable, under threat of the whole thing going up in flames, but praying that the horror would not happen. Today my prayers were answered."

Surrey Wildlife Trust said the wildfire, which began on a golf course on Friday, had destroyed 74 acres of “rare and precious” wildlife habitat.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, but Surrey County Council has urged people not to light bonfires or use disposable BBQs in the countryside.

Residents have now been allowed to return home after being instructed to evacuate the area on Friday.

The council said that while the incident remained "significant" on Monday evening, the situation had now been stabilised.

The fire service will remain at the scene for the rest of the week in case the fire breaks out again.