Saddleworth Moor fire: Homes evacuated in ‘major incident’
Media playback is unsupported on your deviceMore than 30 homes have been evacuated as a huge moorland fire continues to spread in Greater Manchester.
The blaze on Saddleworth Moor has been declared a "major incident" and the Army is on standby to step in.
The fire began on Sunday night, reignited on Monday during the hot weather and then spread throughout Tuesday, fanned by evening winds.
Thirty-four homes in Carrbrook, near Stalybridge, were evacuated but there are no reported injuries.
Resident Anthony Leach said the smell of smoke is "in every room".
"It's like you could almost smoke mackerel in there," he added.
The fire, which measures 3.7 miles (6km) across the tinder-dry hills, has been raging for days despite efforts to halt it.
Great Manchester Fire and Recue Service (GMFRS) confirmed the blaze was spreading and said crews have recommenced "offensive firefighting" at first light.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Leon Parkes said there are 10 fire engines and 50 firefighters at the scene facing "enormous" challenges against the blaze which has "pockets" occurring in different areas.
Smoke and flames can still be seen for miles but Mr Parkes said crews had "quelled the risk" to homes at risk from the flames.
He said it had not been established what might have caused the fire.
Fire crews used a helicopter to drop water on the fire on Tuesday, and Mr Parkes said the blaze had "presented some real challenges to the fire and rescue service in terms of access".
Firefighter Ricky Case, who has been out on the hills, said: "It's just the sheer vastness of it. It's one of the biggest ones I've been on in a long time. The logistics of it all, trying to get water to the locations where we need it."
GMFRS group manager for Tameside, Phil Nelson, added: "Crews are still tackling this difficult fire and are working hard to contain the blaze and prevent further fire spread.
"Firefighters are faced with very difficult circumstances, intense heat and are working on challenging terrain.
"Our main considerations are for crew welfare. It is physically draining working at this incident and it is vital that our firefighters have regular breaks and that relief crews are available to take over."
On Tuesday night, GMP said more than 30 homes in Carr Rise, Carr Lane and Calico Crescent were being evacuated due to the proximity of the flames.
Calico Crescent resident Dee stayed at home through the night to help save animals and pets on the street, including cats and hedgehogs.
"We went outside and there was just this fire crackling literally on the hill behind the house. The smoke was acrid and thick. We could hardly see," she said.
"There was ash falling. The horses were still in the fields and animals were struggling that people had left out. It was really bad."
Reverend Chris Finney has opened his church, St James' in Millbrook, to anyone who needs it.
"I'm about a mile away from Calico Crescent. I've lived in this area all my life and I think I can say that within my memory - and I'm in my 60s - I've not seen fires on the moors to the extent that we're looking at them at the moment," he said.
Tameside councillor Clive Patrick added: "It's terrifying. I've never seen it as bad as this. I've been here now 30 years and this is the worst I've seen."
A man who only gave his name as Ian, who lives in Greenfield village near Carrbrook, said overnight "the flames moved down the hillside" towards homes and "the sad thing for us is we can hear the cattle and the sheep so they're clearly distressed".
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, thanked fire crews after firefighters from across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Derbyshire spent much of Tuesday tackling the fire.
Skip Twitter post by @AndyBurnhamGM
Huge thanks to the GM firefighters working flat out to contain this worrying situation. If you live in the area, please follow the advice. https://t.co/3Bc1FSLDLl
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) June 26, 2018
Report
End of Twitter post by @AndyBurnhamGM
People as far as 20 miles away reported being able to smell the smoke on Tuesday evening, although GMFRS stressed the smoke was not toxic.
Huge amounts of smoke drifted westwards, with large parts of Greater Manchester experiencing poor visibility.
Public Health England offered advice to those affected by smoke. It tweeted: "Smoke is an irritant and can make people's eyes and throat sore. Wash your face with soap and water and keep hydrated by drinking water."
GMP has confirmed some schools in the Tameside area will be shut on Wednesday, with two already confirmed closed.
Skip Twitter post by @TamesideCouncil
Mossley Hollins High School and Buckton Vale Primary School will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday 27 June 2018) due to the ongoing fire on the moors above Stalybridge and Mossley. Both schools have communicated the closures directly to parents and carers.
— Tameside Council (@TamesideCouncil) June 26, 2018
Report
End of Twitter post by @TamesideCouncil
Anyone who requires a safe place to stay should contact Tameside Council, the force said.
Do you live in the area? Have you been affected by the fire? If it's safe to share your experiences then please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
- WhatsApp: +44 7555 173285
- Send pictures/video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk
- Or Upload your pictures/video here
- Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
- Send an SMS or MMS to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international)
- Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy
Or use the form below
Your contact details Name (optional) Your E-mail address (required) Town & Country (optional) Your telephone number (optional) Comments (required)
If you are happy to be contacted by a BBC journalist please leave a telephone number that we can contact you on. In some cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name as you provide it and location, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. When sending us pictures, video or eyewitness accounts at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Please ensure you have read the terms and conditions.
Terms and conditions
The BBC's Privacy Policy
