Moorland fires 'started deliberately'

Date published: 12 April 2010

More than 30 firefighters tackled a moorland fires above Stalybridge, Hyde and Mossley this weekend.

The fire which started near to Dovestones Reservoir on Saturday night and destroyed several acres is thought to have been deliberate.

The fire front covered over a ¼ mile and crews trying to extinguish the flames were forced to stop their attempts when darkness fell and returned on Sunday morning when they managed to put it out using Scotty back packs full of water and grass beaters.

Moorland walkers are being urged to be extra vigilant as the weather gets warmer and report any sign of fire on the moors.

As spokesman said: "If the good weather continues it's starting to dry out all the moorland and I think we're going to be having more and more of these incidents. These small fires do spread very quickly when the ground is dry.

"If they do spot anything all we can do is ask people to inform the emergency services as quickly as possible."

Firefighters were also kept busy with grass fires in Hyde this weekend.

Crews were called out more than 10 times on Saturday and Sunday nights.

Firefighters were called out again this morning, Monday 12 April.