Winter Hill fire ‘contained by nightfall’ say firefighters as they continue moorland battle

Firefighters on the moors at Rivington Pic: Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service

Fire crews say they want to contain the Winter Hill fire ‘by nightfall’ on Thursday.

Plumes of smoke are coming from Rivington as more than 80 firefighters take on the flames from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

Update: Winter Hill fire ‘not out yet’ as firefighters work through the night

Crews from Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were assisting but have now been stood down as Lancashire sends reinforcements to assist in containing the flames.

A 500-yard stretch of moorland to the south of the TV masts – has been scorched by the fire.

Aerial pictures show the firefighters spread along the perimeter of the fire as they work to douse the flames.

https://twitter.com/Lancs_FireDCFO/status/1012422082221805574

Old fashioned beaters and appliances are being used, alongside drones to help direct the crews from above, to fight the 1kilometre sized fire.

Lancashire Fire and Rescues communications officer John Taylor, who is up on Winter Hill said: “Initially the emergency calls said the TV transmitter and masts were on fire, but I can confirm there’s no risk to those.

“The fire has spread the other way and that compound is absolutely fine.

“We are working to contain the fire and we have 15 crews up here now – with all of them from Lancashire at present.”

One of the specially adapted vehicles being used by fire crews

He said crews had split up to tackle the fire from three different locations.

Crews from Fulwood, Bamber Bridge, Penwortham and Tarleton are among those in attendance. Fulwood are acting as the command centre unit for the operation.

Mountain rescue officers and United Utilities staff are also helping in the fight against the fire.

The blaze started around 3.30pm on the moorland during Thursday (28 June), and follows another blaze, at a different Rivington location on Monday.

Firefighters isolating one area of the fire on Rivington

Lancashire crews worked quickly to try to release the Manchester crews back to the Saddleworth moor fire which continues to burn in North Manchester.

There is currently no threat to TV and radio services due to the fire at the Winter Hill site and everything is being broadcast as normal. Emergency services are on site.

— Arqiva (@arqiva) June 28, 2018

The fire service is warning those living nearby to Winter Hill to keep their windows and doors closed for the time being due to smoke inhalation risks.