£400k fire caused by boyfriend out to impress partner
A HUGE fire which torched 285 hectares of moorland and took three days to put out was started by a man who set off a firework in front of his girlfriend, a court heard.
Viktor Riedly, had intended to record the bang caused by the firecracker he had hauled to the top of Marsden Moor, between Oldham and Huddersfield, when it sparked a 60-hour fire and a response from 100 firefighters.
The 28-year-old tried to put out the fire with a two-litre bottle of water and threw mud at it in a bid to stop it spreading, Leeds Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Eddison Flint told the court that Riedly’s moorland stunt cost the council £400,000 and fire crews spent three days trying to put the blaze out.
Eighteen fire engines and six specialist units – including additional crews from Greater Manchester – arrived at the scene on April 25 this year, Mr Flint added.
It was revealed that Riedly’s intention had been to record the firecracker being set off and his girlfriend had carried the recording equipment up the moorland.
Mr Flint said that Riedly had used a shield to protect himself from sparks but soon realised
something had gone wrong.
He then used the wooden shield to try and put out the initial fire having failed in his attempts with the water from a bottle - but that too caught alight.
Mr Flint said the couple realised the fire was spreading too quickly and went to ask for help.
Anastasis Tasou, defending, added that Riedly did everything he could to put out the fire.
Riedly, of Henry Street, Huddersfield, admitted one count of arson but his sentencing was adjourned as the Record Jeremy Hill-Baker wanted to hear evidence from witnesses.
The next hearing will take place at the same court on February 25.