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Belmont moorland fire: Huge grass blaze breaks out Belmont moorland fire: Huge grass blaze breaks out
(about 3 hours later)
Firefighters are tackling a large fire near Winter Hill in Lancashire. Firefighters tackled a large fire near Winter Hill in Lancashire.
The grass blaze broke out at about 14:30 GMT on the moor between Rivington and Belmont.The grass blaze broke out at about 14:30 GMT on the moor between Rivington and Belmont.
The public has been advised to stay away from the area as 40 firefighters tackle the flames, which have reached heights of 6m (19ft 8in). The public was advised to stay away from the area as 40 firefighters fought the flames, which reached heights of 6m (19ft 8in).
The wildfire broke out 24 hours after a fire service boss said he was "astonished" by large groups gathering for barbecues on the moors.The wildfire broke out 24 hours after a fire service boss said he was "astonished" by large groups gathering for barbecues on the moors.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said people were meeting to cook food despite a ban on moorland barbecues after huge fires in 2018. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service had said people were meeting to cook food despite a ban on moorland barbecues after huge fires in 2018.
It also flouts the government's instructions on social distancing.It also flouts the government's instructions on social distancing.
Crews from Lancashire and Greater Manchester fire services are at the scene. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said at about 20:00 GMT the fire was "nearly out".
Crews from Lancashire and Greater Manchester fire services were at the scene.
Justin Johnston, chief fire officer for Lancashire, tweeted the fire was "just [what] we didn't need right now".Justin Johnston, chief fire officer for Lancashire, tweeted the fire was "just [what] we didn't need right now".
"The fire has burned a significant area prior to firefighters arriving at the scene and the fire is being wind driven, moving up from the blue lagoon side of the hill up the banking towards the monument on Rivington," a Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson has said. "The fire has burned a significant area prior to firefighters arriving at the scene and the fire is being wind driven, moving up from the blue lagoon side of the hill up the banking towards the monument on Rivington," an LFRS spokesperson has said.
Residents living nearby have been advised to close windows and doors as a precaution. Residents living nearby were advised to close windows and doors as a precaution.