APOCALYPSE
»»Locals flee homes as blaze spreads »»Fears it may take weeks to put out
hillsides and towards their homes. Matthew Lomas and his wife Pauline, 67, were told by police to leave their house in Carrbrook, near Stalybridge.
They told how they watched flames licking at the moorland ridge above their home. Matthew, 76, said: “We could see flames 50ft high, like a raging ball of fire all on the hillside.
“By the time the policeman arrived the smoke was so thick I had to let him in and shut the door quickly as it was becoming difficult to breathe.”
The couple were allowed home yesterday after spending the night with relatives. Neighbours Sue and Mcdowell, who also returned, told of hearing the blaze approach.
Sue, 65, said: “The sound of the fire was like heavy rain, it was crackling. It was very close and very scary.” Peter, 68, added: “We had seen the smoke for a couple of days but last night it was really thick and choking. It seemed to be really close, but we could not see the flames because of the smoke.”
While Angela Brown, 59, described ash falling “like rain”. She said: “It was terrifying. Every so often there was a crackle, flames would shoot in the air.”
A total of 34 homes were evacuated at Calico Crescent in Carrbrook. Four schools closed yesterday and health workers handed out masks on smokefilled streets. Some 29 fire engines have been sent to the area and a helipeter Locals put on face masks copter was used to drop water on areas crews could not reach. Their task has been made more difficult by winds quickly changing direct and fanning flames into other areas.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Dave Keelan, of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “We’ve been liaising with a military adviser on the scene. Following those discussions we have requested military assistance.”
It is thought an RAF Chinook could transport two high-volume pumps. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “This is a difficult task for the fire service. They can’t always
Fire rages over the parched moor get water to the areas needed so in many areas are having to beat [the fire] back by hand.”
Farmers have rescued hundreds of sheep but animals are feared to have perished. Claire Crowther, 26, of Upperwood Farm near Carrbrook, said: “Some sheep were running back towards flames. You couldn’t see more than 20 yards in front. It’s devastating.
“Someone saw two deer run back in, trying to get to their young.”
The cause of the fire is unknown, though some locals blamed off-road scrambler motorbikes.