Residents in a block of flats in eastern Moscow were horrified on Friday to find that their heating was on full blast, despite record high temperatures outside, due to a technical glitch.

Meteorologists say the 2010 summer is one of the three hottest on record. Forecasters predicted record temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit) for Friday with no relief in sight.

"The heating was turned on at the height of the heat wave. The radiators were hotter than they are in winter," a resident of the affected block said. "No-one could stay in their flat; they all piled out onto the street."

The authorities said the problem would soon be resolved.

"Pressure was being applied to the pipes to test for leaks and hot water found way into the central heating system," a representative of the district's administration said, adding that the water in the system was cooling down, so the radiators would soon be cold again.

MOSCOW, July 16 (RIA Novosti)