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Winter Hill fire may burn for days, fire crews fear | Winter Hill fire may burn for days, fire crews fear |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Firefighters tackling a moorland blaze close to a major TV transmitter say it will take days to put it out 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 blaze is "definitely controlled", Lancashire fire service confirmed. | The blaze is "definitely controlled", Lancashire fire service confirmed. |
It comes as crews from around the country have joined firefighters and the Army to 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. |
Following the hot weather and recent blazes across the region, 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." |
A trench has also been dug to prevent the fire from reaching the highest house on the hill. | |
Mike Sewell and his family were evacuated from their home as fire crews and the water firm United Utilities, which manages an area nearby, tried to protect the property. | |
"It's been a bit of a nightmare but the fire service has been brilliant, they're keeping us informed all the way," he said. | |
"We've had a few little fires before but nothing on this magnitude. | |
"Normally there are birds flying around but there are not as many now so that's one of the main downfalls." | |
About 60 firefighters and 10 fire engines 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, who have 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. |