NIGHT SKY LIT UP AS GORSE FIRE THREATENS HOMES

FIFTY firefighters worked through the night on Friday to bring a massive gorse fire under control.

Fire crews from as far away as Rhyl were sent to Clwt-y-Bont, near Deiniolen, to tackle the blaze, which, at one stage, had a front A mile long and threatened homes.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called at 10.49pm to what was initially reported as a minor gorse fire. However, the flames had spread quickly and several more crews, including off-road vehicles, were sent to the scene.

Nearby resident Rachel Thorpe captured pictures of the fire at its height and video footage of the aftermath.

She said: “I hope that by educating people about the effects of these fires we can prevent future fires.

“The burnt area is an important wildlife habitat and it has been destroyed, also causing considerable stress to the landowners and putting people’s houses at risk.”

A spokesman for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews were sent from Beaumaris, Llanfairfechan, Llangefni, Porthmadog, two from Caernarfon, Llan- dudno, Bangor, Conwy and Rhyl.

“Firefighters used beaters and hose reels to bring the fire under control.The cause has been given as deliberate ignition.”

N Wales Police are investigating the fire, which was brought under control by 6.37am on Saturday.

● Fifty firefighters from across the region worked through the night to tackle a massive gorse fire at Clwt-y-Bont and, inset, the aftermath of the blaze