Moorland fire 'to burn for days'

A helicopter has been taking water from the nearby reservoir

Fire crews tackling a fire on moorland in Greater Manchester expect to be at the site for at least another two days.

The blaze at Stalybridge, which has been burning since Wednesday, is now spreading underground in the peat layer after burning away the top vegetation.

Up to 60 firefighters, an off-road buggy and a helicopter have been involved in the operation.

Smoke is continuing to pour across the area but the threat to local people and property is said to be minimal.

The grass is absolutely tinder dry and any slight spark will give rise to a moorland fire Ged Higgins, Greater Manchester Fire Service

Ged Higgins, of the Greater Manchester Fire Service, said: "Areas that appear on the surface to have been extinguished will potentially reignite and this is what we are seeing at the moment."

The combination of the terrain and heat had been making it a particularly difficult task for fire crews, he said.

Crews have been assisted by an Argocat from Derbyshire Fire Service, which is an off-road buggy with high pressure water tanks on the back.

A helicopter has also been making trips to Walker Wood reservoir in Derbyshire to pick up water and drop it on the smouldering hillside.

"The lives of people and the buildings around this area are of the utmost importance. At the moment the threat to local buildings and people is minimal," said Mr Higgins.

Mr Higgins repeated calls for walkers and other people out in the moors to take care and avoid using barbeques or discarding cigarettes.

"The grass is absolutely tinder dry and any slight spark will give rise to a moorland fire," he added.

"It is looking now that the fire-fighting could go on for another two or three days potentially."