Emergency services remain on the scene at the major blaze
A dramatic video has shown the scale of the Dovestone moor fire as it continues to rage on, with smoke blowing over the region and masking Manchester.
Emergency services remain on the scene at the reservoir after a huge moor fire broke out on Saturday (July 11). Crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were called to the Saddleworth beauty spot at around 8.45pm to reports of a wildfire.
According to eyewitnesses, spoken to by the Manchester Evening News, residents reported hearing ‘loud bangs’ prior to the fire taking hold. Other video footage shared widely online appear to show fireworks being let off in the vicinity on Saturday.
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One shows a young woman holding a rocket launcher as a firework explodes out from it on the moors. One firework then appears to spark a blaze in dry grasses, before a group of bystanders run over to the smoking section of moorland.
It is understood youths 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.
Throughout Sunday, smoke could be seen billowing into the sky for several miles and smothering parts of the region. Members of the public have been advised to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed in the area due to the amount of smoke smouldering from the ongoing blaze.
New footage now shared with the Manchester Evening News shows the scale of the blaze. Smoke could be seen blowing over from a viewpoint at Werneth Low, on the border of Tameside and Stockport.
Large areas of moorland ablaze created plumes of smoke seen blowing and covering the area. There have also been reports of smoke as far as White City retail park in Stretford. The M.E.N also received reports of residents living in Trafford and Eccles smelling smoke this afternoon.
GMFRS later said that due to winds, smoke had travelled ‘significant distances’ with people reporting the smell of smoke in Manchester city centre.
It is thought the blaze is still raging on with fire crews struggling to bring it under control. Emergency services will remain in attendance overnight and into Monday (July 13), it has now been confirmed.
In their latest statement, the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters remain at the scene of a moorland fire near Dovestones Reservoir and continue to work with partner agencies to contain the fire and prevent further spread.
“Due to strong winds, smoke from the fire has travelled significant distances, with people reporting haze and the smell of smoke as far as Manchester city centre and other parts of Greater Manchester.
“Residents affected by smoke are advised to keep windows and doors closed where possible. Please continue to avoid the area to allow emergency services and partner agencies to work safely.”
