FIRE FIGHT
Army called in as crews struggle to halt inferno
MORE than 100 firefighters have been battling to control blazes at Saddleworth Moor.
As the Army was called in to help tackle the wildfires, a local said: “It’s like the apocalypse.”
RESIDENTS told of their terror at the “apocalyptic inferno” raging on moorland near their homes and threatening hundreds of properties.
The blaze has spread over nearly four square miles on Saddleworth Moor, with lives and wildlife feared to be at risk.
Crews have been tackling at least seven fires in furnace-like conditions on the parched hills above Manchester.
They fear it could take days or even weeks to fully extinguish the flames.
Resident Pete Woodward, 43, said of the scene: “It looked like the apocalypse. There was a towering inferno of flames... 500 metres long. It was a raging wildfire.”
Fire chiefs have called for help from the Army, expected to provide additional manpower and equipment. The fire’s impact could be seen from space. NASA satellites picked up smoke plumes.
Locals last night prayed for rain to douse the fire, which broke out on Sunday. But with the heatwave set to continue, fears for life are growing.
On Tuesday night dozens of residents were evacuated as the fire spread down 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 yesterday 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 Peter 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 helicopter 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 from the Ministry of Defence.”
It is thought an RAF Chinook could transport two high-volume pumps. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “It’s hit the point where reinforcements are needed.
“This is a difficult task for the fire service. They can’t always 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.