As the third day drew to a close, the moors above Saddleworth were still burning. Yet, the sights of the dried ground violently burning are nothing new. There have already been multiple wildfires in Greater Manchester this year.
Smog and smoke plumes billowed over the site again as fire crews remained on the scene after first being called out on Saturday.
Monday was another challenging day for emergency services. Roads remained closed. Strict avoid area warnings were in place. Local residents were urged to keep windows and doors closed.
Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter
Thick plumes of smoke continued to be blown over parts of Greater Manchester, with the stench smelt again as far south at Stockport and Levenshulme. Unbelievable pictures showed Manchester’s skyline dwarfed by the size of the smoke clouds.
Arson investigation after fireworks videos
Fire crews along with police remained at the scene since it first broke out on Saturday evening (July 11). In a huge update, police then confirmed a 20-year-old woman was detained by detectives in Oldham on Monday morning and remains in custody for questioning on suspicion of arson.
This follows concerns about the use of fireworks being let off in the vicinity on Saturday. It comes after eye-witnesses told the Manchester Evening News they heard a number of loud bangs before the fire broke out. Multiple video clips and images posted to social media also a group of youths setting off fireworks at the beauty spot in Greenfield.
In clips now shared widely online, a firework appears to spark a blaze in dry grasses, before a group of bystanders run over to the smoking section of moorland. In another video recorded shortly afterwards, flames can be seen quickly spreading across a hillside at the Saddleworth beauty spot.
A group had gathered in tribute to a teenager who tragically lost his life in the reservoir on Friday night (June 10). Karl Holland, 18, was lost his life after getting into difficulties in the water, with his body sadly recovered from the scene later.
Police then confirmed to the M.E.N on Monday that the footage is forming part of investigations. A woman remains in custody to be quizzed over the incident, with enquires ongoing. Police are still urging witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.
Detective Inspector Andrew Day of Oldham CID said: “We are aware of social media posts circulating regarding this incident and would like to stress that this is a live police investigation. We would encourage people stop speculating regarding this and if you do have information, please report it to ourselves.”
“I feel like we’re getting used to it”
Nearby residents reported hearing ‘bangs’ so loud they thought they were gunshots shortly before fire crews first arrived at 8:45pm on Saturday. They then saw the sky being lit up by fireworks during what one onlooker described as a ‘Universal Studios style display.’
As smoke continued to billow out across the moors, residents living nearby shared their sadness, bafflement and anger at what had unfolded. “It’s crazy,” one woman, who did not want to be named, said. ”Absolutely baffling. I cannot even begin to fathom or understand it. There are signs everywhere saying ‘no fireworks.’
A woman who also lives in the village said it was ‘very sad for those who lost their friend’ but said those who let off the fireworks ‘had obviously not thought about what they were doing.’
She said residents in the village had been left facing ‘constant sirens and smoke’ from the fire. “I feel like we’re getting used to it. It has happened that often” she said. “But it seems to have gotten worse in the last five years or so. I’m not sure what, or by who, but I feel like more needs to be done.”
Smoke smothers Greater Manchester as lead firefighter says ‘we could be here for days’
Smoke had previously been blown over large swathes of Greater Manchester on Sunday, with the smell of smoke masking areas as far as Eccles as well as Stockport and Sale. The fire service said this was due to windy conditions causing a huge plume of smoke to travel across the region.
These conditions prevailed again on Monday, with large areas of Greater Manchester still becoming masked by the smell of smoke and clouds billowing overhead.
Large avoid area warnings remained in place. Fire crews were to remain on the scene overnight and into Tuesday in an effort to stop the blaze spreading any further, with acres of land already left scorched.
Ben Levy, Head of Response for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue (GMFRS) spoke to the Manchester Evening News on Monday. Detailing the major operation, he explained: “If this weather stays as it is, we’ll keep our efforts to control our fire. But I predict our firefighters will be here for maybe a number of days just yet.
“You can see the terrain we’ve got behind us. It’s not just open moorland, there’s some, very, very steep moorland. There’s cliffs, there’s steep rocks. It’s very challenging to get in between there to control the fire.
“What our crews are doing is going around the outside of the perimeter of this fire to try and control the fire and we’re seeking aerial assets, including helicopters, to try and control the fire.”
Major incident declared
In their latest statement, the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed a major incident had been declared due to the scale of the fire. They said crews remained at the scene to ‘prevent further spread’.
Despite warm and sunny temperatures, people are continuing to be urged to avoid the area amid the major response.
“Due to weather conditions, smoke from the fire may be noticeable in parts of Greater Manchester and beyond,” a spokesperson said.
“If smoke is affecting your area, or there is visible smoke nearby, stay indoors where possible and keep windows and doors closed to reduce smoke entering your home.
“During the hot weather, people can help keep cool by drawing curtains to block direct sunlight, using fans to circulate air and keeping hydrated. Once smoke has moved away, consider opening windows and doors to ventilate and cool your home, while continuing to monitor conditions and follow any updated public advice.
“We are also asking people to avoid the Dovestone area to allow emergency services to work safely and allow for access routes to be clear.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login