This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-44667762

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Winter Hill fire may burn for days, fire crews fear Winter Hill fire may burn for days, fire crews fear
(35 minutes later)
Firefighters tackling a moorland blaze close to a major TV transmitter say it will take days to put it our but "fear it may be much longer".Firefighters tackling a moorland blaze close to a major TV transmitter say it will take days to put it our but "fear it may be much longer".
Crews have been dealing with the flames since Thursday across Winter Hill, where a smouldering area has spread to more than 1.9 sq miles (5 sq km) area.Crews have been dealing with the flames since Thursday across Winter Hill, where a smouldering area has spread to more than 1.9 sq miles (5 sq km) area.
A 22-year-old man, from Bolton, was arrested on Friday on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.A 22-year-old man, from Bolton, was arrested on Friday on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
The fire is "definitely controlled", Lancashire fire bosses confirmed. The blaze is "definitely controlled", Lancashire fire service confirmed.
A Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said it was currently smouldering in three pockets between the Winter Hill transmitter, which serves viewers in north-west England, and Rivington Pike near Bolton. It comes as crews from around the country have joined firefighters and the Army deal with a separate fire at Saddleworth Moor in Greater Manchester, which started on Sunday.
Along with the Winter Hill blaze, it has blanketed the region in smoke and ash. People in nearby areas have been asked to keep doors and windows closed.
About 100 soldiers from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, were sent from their Yorkshire barracks on Thursday to aid firefighters for an initial 48-hour deployment.
Their presence has been extended for a further three days following a request by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.
A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the Winter Hill blaze was currently smouldering in three pockets between the TV transmitter, which serves viewers in north-west England, and Rivington Pike near Bolton.
He said predicting when it would be fully extinguished was "not an exact science" and depended on the strength and direction of the wind.He said predicting when it would be fully extinguished was "not an exact science" and depended on the strength and direction of the wind.
He appealed for people not to use naked flames near dry grass. Following the hot weather and recent blazes across the region, he appealed for people not to use naked flames near dry grass.
Area manager Ben Norman, from the service, explained: "I wouldn't like to say when we'd be leaving the moors - we are hopeful it would be within the next few days but we fear it may be much longer."Area manager Ben Norman, from the service, explained: "I wouldn't like to say when we'd be leaving the moors - we are hopeful it would be within the next few days but we fear it may be much longer."
About 60 firefighters and 10 fire engines and were at the scene of the fire earlier. About 60 firefighters and 10 fire engines were at the scene of the fire earlier.
They have been aided by a helicopter crew, which has been dropping water to help douse the fire. They have been aided by a helicopter crew, who have been dropping water to help douse the fire.
Despite the location, the blaze is not expected to affect local TV transmission services.Despite the location, the blaze is not expected to affect local TV transmission services.