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| Saddleworth Moor fire: Homes evacuated as blaze continues to rage | Saddleworth Moor fire: Homes evacuated as blaze continues to rage |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A huge moorland fire is continuing to spread because the land is "as dry as a tinder box" and winds are fanning the flames. | A huge moorland fire is continuing to spread because the land is "as dry as a tinder box" and winds are fanning the flames. |
| The blaze covers 3.7miles (6km) of Saddleworth Moor and has been raging since Sunday night. | The blaze covers 3.7miles (6km) of Saddleworth Moor and has been raging since Sunday night. |
| More than 50 homes were evacuated in Carrbrook, near Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, and 150 people affected. | |
| One resident described seeing "ash falling like rain" and another said it "looked like the apocalypse". | One resident described seeing "ash falling like rain" and another said it "looked like the apocalypse". |
| Dave Keelan, director of emergency response at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said 70 of its firefighters were tackling the blaze. | Dave Keelan, director of emergency response at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said 70 of its firefighters were tackling the blaze. |
| He confirmed talks were ongoing to see if the Army could offer extra teams, four-wheel drive vehicles and air support. | He confirmed talks were ongoing to see if the Army could offer extra teams, four-wheel drive vehicles and air support. |
| Brenda Warrington, leader of Tameside Council, said firefighters were hoping for a "really good downpour" and rain was "the only thing" that would quickly deal with the blaze. | Brenda Warrington, leader of Tameside Council, said firefighters were hoping for a "really good downpour" and rain was "the only thing" that would quickly deal with the blaze. |
| "We do need mother nature to help us quite frankly," she said. | "We do need mother nature to help us quite frankly," she said. |
| "It's as dry as a tinder box up there. A lot of winds are fanning the fire." | "It's as dry as a tinder box up there. A lot of winds are fanning the fire." |
| Mr Keelan said there were four different areas of fire embedded within peat, which is "extremely difficult" for crews to extinguish. | Mr Keelan said there were four different areas of fire embedded within peat, which is "extremely difficult" for crews to extinguish. |
| "They are working extremely hard, as they have been for the past couple of days, in really arduous conditions in heat and smoke," he said. | "They are working extremely hard, as they have been for the past couple of days, in really arduous conditions in heat and smoke," he said. |
| Matt Lomas, 76, who was evacuated with his wife, daughter and eight-month-old granddaughter Isla, said: "We could see flames 50ft high like a raging ball of fire all on the hill side. | Matt Lomas, 76, who was evacuated with his wife, daughter and eight-month-old granddaughter Isla, said: "We could see flames 50ft high like a raging ball of fire all on the hill side. |
| "It was really scary, we were really worried the smoke would hurt Isla so we had to get out." | "It was really scary, we were really worried the smoke would hurt Isla so we had to get out." |
| Angela Brown, 59, said she saw "ash falling like rain" from the raging fire. | |
| "It was terrifying. It was getting closer and closer. Every so often there was a crackle and flames would shoot in the air." | |
| Pete Woodward, 43, said: "It looked like the apocalypse. There was a towering inferno of flames." | Pete Woodward, 43, said: "It looked like the apocalypse. There was a towering inferno of flames." |
| He said he "just grabbed a toothbrush and underpants" and got out with his partner and two young daughters. | He said he "just grabbed a toothbrush and underpants" and got out with his partner and two young daughters. |
| "The flames were 500 metres long, it was a raging wildfire. You could hear the odd explosion but thankfully the house survived." | "The flames were 500 metres long, it was a raging wildfire. You could hear the odd explosion but thankfully the house survived." |
| The fire began on Sunday night, reignited on Monday during the hot weather and then spread throughout Tuesday, fanned by evening winds. | The fire began on Sunday night, reignited on Monday during the hot weather and then spread throughout Tuesday, fanned by evening winds. |
| Police said the homes in Carr Rise, Carr Lane and Calico Crescent were evacuated on Tuesday evening due to the proximity of the flames. | |
| The majority of people had returned by Wednesday afternoon. | |
| Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said a "request to the military for extra support" is being prepared "so there is a back-up plan" to support firefighters. | Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said a "request to the military for extra support" is being prepared "so there is a back-up plan" to support firefighters. |
| "I think everybody feels a great deal of gratitude towards them [firefighters] but it's hit the point where reinforcements are needed and that's what we're arranging," he told BBC Radio 5 live. | "I think everybody feels a great deal of gratitude towards them [firefighters] but it's hit the point where reinforcements are needed and that's what we're arranging," he told BBC Radio 5 live. |
| Jonathan Reynolds, MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, added: "We haven't had anything of this scale in living memory, never had to evacuate people or close schools." | Jonathan Reynolds, MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, added: "We haven't had anything of this scale in living memory, never had to evacuate people or close schools." |
| At the scene: Stewart Whittingham, BBC News Online | At the scene: Stewart Whittingham, BBC News Online |
| Thick smoke is swirling around the village of Carrbrook, making people cough and cover their mouths. | Thick smoke is swirling around the village of Carrbrook, making people cough and cover their mouths. |
| Ash covers a welcome mat at one house, and evacuated neighbours hug each other in the street. | Ash covers a welcome mat at one house, and evacuated neighbours hug each other in the street. |
| Some have tears in their eyes while others shake their heads as the look at the charred hillside. One or two cuddle their precious pet cats and dogs. | Some have tears in their eyes while others shake their heads as the look at the charred hillside. One or two cuddle their precious pet cats and dogs. |
| Thick smoke can still be seen on the hilltops from the fires burning on the moors beyond. | Thick smoke can still be seen on the hilltops from the fires burning on the moors beyond. |
| Snuggled up to his mother, seven-year-old Oscar McFie sums up the mood: "It was scary, but we're safe." | Snuggled up to his mother, seven-year-old Oscar McFie sums up the mood: "It was scary, but we're safe." |
| The fire service earlier confirmed the blaze was spreading and said crews had recommenced "offensive firefighting". | The fire service earlier confirmed the blaze was spreading and said crews had recommenced "offensive firefighting". |
| Assistant Chief Fire Officer Leon Parkes said crews planned to "put a heavy attack" on the fire, which has been declared a "major incident". | Assistant Chief Fire Officer Leon Parkes said crews planned to "put a heavy attack" on the fire, which has been declared a "major incident". |
| You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
| 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. | 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. | He said it had not been established what might have caused the fire. |
| Greater Manchester Police's Saddleworth division said about 2,000 acres of moorland had been destroyed in the fire. | Greater Manchester Police's Saddleworth division said about 2,000 acres of moorland had been destroyed in the fire. |
| Some 65,000 gallons of water were dropped on the blaze by a helicopter on Tuesday to fight the fire which was "unprecedented in recent times", it added. | Some 65,000 gallons of water were dropped on the blaze by a helicopter on Tuesday to fight the fire which was "unprecedented in recent times", it added. |
| 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." | 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." |
| Farmer Chris Keytes, 58, and his wife Jane, 50, refused to leave despite the fire being just 30ft from his farm and police asking them to go. | Farmer Chris Keytes, 58, and his wife Jane, 50, refused to leave despite the fire being just 30ft from his farm and police asking them to go. |
| "I was concerned [but] we're set up with masks and we put a towel under the door," Mr Keytes said. | "I was concerned [but] we're set up with masks and we put a towel under the door," Mr Keytes said. |
| "We've had fires before but this one was pretty close." | "We've had fires before but this one was pretty close." |
| Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn praised firefighters ahead of Prime Minster's Questions earlier. | Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn praised firefighters ahead of Prime Minster's Questions earlier. |
| Mrs May told MPs the government is keeping the situation "under constant review". | Mrs May told MPs the government is keeping the situation "under constant review". |
| She offered her sympathy to the firefighters and residents and added that "operational policy arrangements" were in place "to provide support if required". | She offered her sympathy to the firefighters and residents and added that "operational policy arrangements" were in place "to provide support if required". |
| Mr Corbyn said: "I'm sure all our thoughts are with the firefighters and the communities and families and the member for Stalybridge and Hyde is there today to support them." | Mr Corbyn said: "I'm sure all our thoughts are with the firefighters and the communities and families and the member for Stalybridge and Hyde is there today to support them." |
| Huge amounts of smoke has drifted westwards, with large parts of Greater Manchester experiencing poor visibility. | Huge amounts of smoke has drifted westwards, with large parts of Greater Manchester experiencing poor visibility. |
| BBC Weather's Simon King said there was a "brisk easterly wind" forecast for Wednesday with "little to no rain in the forecast for at least a week". | BBC Weather's Simon King said there was a "brisk easterly wind" forecast for Wednesday with "little to no rain in the forecast for at least a week". |
| The fire service said smoke levels in the air were not "toxic" but could be an "irritant", and advised people to close windows. | The fire service said smoke levels in the air were not "toxic" but could be an "irritant", and advised people to close windows. |
| Public Health England also advised people to wash their faces with soap and water and keep hydrated. | Public Health England also advised people to wash their faces with soap and water and keep hydrated. |
| Four schools in the Tameside area have been closed, the council said. | Four schools in the Tameside area have been closed, the council said. |
| The Wildlife Trust said the fire would also have "devastating consequences for some animals and birds". | |
| Director of conservation Tim Mitcham said: "Only the most mobile of animals escape and of course we are in peak breeding period for many. | |
| "The habitat will recover but it will take time." | |
| 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. | 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: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |