Arson theory over moor fires
BRIGADE SOURCES SUSPECT FIREBUGS ARE REPONSIBLE FOR LATEST MOOR BLAZES
THIS is the aftermath of a huge blaze on Saddleworth Moor – vast areas of scorched earth.
Firefighters in white protective gear were beating the land for any remnants of flames or smoke yesterday.
The fire which began on Tuesday – one of three this week – was just eight months after last summer’s catastrophic moorland fires on Saddleworth and Winter Hill near Bolton.
It raises the question: why are the moors burning again?
One fire service source told the M.E.N: “I can’t believe this is accidental. The recent fires have all started in the evening when it is going dark, when people can make an exit and not be seen – they appear to be deliberate.”
Crews worked through the night tackling the wildfire just off the A62 Manchester Road near Diggle, Oldham, over the road from the old Carriage House pub.
Dramatic pictures and drone footage from the scene showed a massive wall of flames turning the night sky orange.
The blaze, on National Trust property at Marsden Moor, began at around 8pm.
The Greater Manchester brigade sent an engine from Stalybridge, a wildfire unit and a wildfire officer, and appliances from Chadderton.
Appliances attended the Marsden Moor fire from Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, Todmorden, Meltham, Chadderton (from Manchester Fire and Rescue Service), Holmfirth and Skelmanthorpe. Around 30 firefighters tackled the blaze, which presented them with very difficult firefighting conditions.
Station manager Adam Greenwood said: “When crews arrived shortly before 8pm there was a large area of approximately three to four square kilometres of moorland on fire. It was one of the of the highest flame fronts we have seen with flames of up to two metres high, and it was moving fast across the moorland.
“The top layer of the moorland is quite dried out because of the recent good weather and underneath is quite damp so it has run across the surface of dry vegetation. “Two specialist wildfire units were there and approximately 30 firefighters tackling the fire. It was really adverse conditions. We were rotating the crews for their welfare as it’s very physically demanding work. “Crews were walking up to a mile to reach the fire and were carrying blowers, beaters and other firefighting equipment with them. Crews have worked tirelessly to get fire under control and have done a great job. The quick initial fire attack by firefighters did help to bring the fire under control, despite the size and ferocity of the flames.”
By around 3am the fire had died down, but five crews remained at the scene yesterday; including the Keighley Wildfire Unit. Due to the nature of moorland fires they can easily reignite so firefighters are likely to be on the scene for the rest of the day.
Station manager Greenwood added: “The fire looks to be out, however, moorland fires can easily reignite so it’s important that we monitor it closely.”
A Public Health England spokesman said: “Residents in areas affected by the smoke should stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed. Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.”
I can’t believe this is accidental. The recent fires have all started when it is going dark Fire service source