Firefighters from across the north have “working tirelessly” overnight to bring a ferocious “one-mile flame front” under control on Marsden Moor.
The fire – which is believed to have been “started by people” – first erupted at around 7pm on Sunday (April 25) evening.
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said that more than 10 crews plus specialist wildfire units arrived on the scene last night in attempt to tame the blaze, which has already “destroyed a crucial area for rare birds and mammals.”
Greater Manchester Fire Service is working with local services this morning to dampen the flames using specialist vehicles and systems.
West Yorkshire Police, Mountain Rescue and the National Trust have also been assisting in an attempt to get the situation under control.
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Local residents are being advised to keep their doors and windows closed.
10 pumps plus specialist wildfire units are tackling a fire with a 1 mile flame front on #MarsdenMoor. Local residents should keep their doors/windows closed. Please away from the area until incident is closed. Road closures are in place pic.twitter.com/IiJlgJ9LXk
— West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (@WYFRS) April 25, 2021
There’s a fire on Marsden Moor, near Black Moss reservoir/Mount Road. Please take care if you’re in the area. Unfortunately this area has suffered moorland fires twice already this season. pic.twitter.com/HrKODqbZuC
This was the scene on Marsden Moor at about 9pm tonight. There are specialist fire crews on the scene. This area is home to many of our rare breeding birds as well as important carbon-capturing peat. #marsdenmoorfire#marsdenmoorpic.twitter.com/p7zCI4mzGb
Countryside Manager for the National Trust, Craig Best, said the situation “could have so easily been avoided.”
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“It’s so frustrating to see yet another fire on our moors after all the hard work our team have put in to try and restore the landscape after last time.
“Although not on the same area of land as the 2019 fire, this fire has also destroyed a crucial area for rare birds and mammals.”
”Unfortunately this was another fire started by people, and could have so easily been avoided.”
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The National Trust tweeted an update at 7:26am on Monday: “Whilst the flames appear to be out, moorland fires can reignite very easily, especially as the weather gets warmer today.”
Feature image: West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service
News
Spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display confirmed for Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Manchester will celebrate New Year’s Eve with a spectacular FREE fireworks display, the council has confirmed.
This year, the dazzling display to ring in the new year will be set off from the roof of the city’s landmark Central Library building.
Mancs will be able to gather in St Peter’s Square as the city waves goodbye to 2024 and welcomes a new year.
The family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration has never taken place at St Peter’s Square before, nor has the iconic Manchester Central library hosted any sort of fireworks display.
The fireworks spectacular and New Year countdown will take place on Tuesday 31 December between 10pm and 12.30am, hosted by local radio presenter and DJ Joe McGrath.
With a rough capacity of 20,000 people, there’ll be a festive atmosphere in the city centre – but Manchester City Council has stressed that alcohol is not permitted at the New Year’s Eve fireworks event.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas and New Year spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “If there’s something we do well in Manchester, it’s getting together for a big celebration – and there’s no better time for a big do than New Year’s Eve.
“This is the time to remember the year we’ve just had and to look ahead to the new one and all it may bring, surrounded by the people we love.
“Mancunians of all ages love a party, and this New Year’s Eve is going to be fantastic – a chance to dance the night away, with one of the biggest fireworks displays in the region for everyone to enjoy.
“All you need is your dancing shoes, party spirit and your nearest and dearest. Grab hold of those and we can’t wait to see you in St Peter’s Square for the last party of 2024.”
Spectacular New Year’s Eve firework display confirmed for Manchester. Credit: Unsplash, designecologist
There are a few things you need to know ahead of the event – attendees are asked to limit bag sizes to no larger than A4 in size, with bag searches in operation at the entrances.
It will be a standing room only event though there’ll be a managed designated accessible viewing area located on the Metrolink tram platform closest to Central Library, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Portaloos, public toilets until 1am, and hot drinks and food will all be available on site.
Event staff will make sure St Peter’s Square is cleared promptly after the event and once the fireworks are over to minimise disruption to local residents.
Councillor Pat Karney added: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy New Year’s Eve, including the growing number of local residents who live in town.
“I will therefore be working closely with local councillors and others to ensure that we minimise any nuisance for city centre residents.”
Important road closures and event information for the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Manchester
A number of temporary but necessary traffic management measures will be put in place in the run-up to and on the day itself so the event can go ahead.
Road closures – 31 December 2024
7.30pm–2am
Peter Street westbound (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
Peter Street eastbound (Deansgate to Lower Mosley Street)
Oxford Street (Peter Street to Portland Street)
George Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
St James Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
Bale Street (Lower Mosley Street to Hall Street)
Hall Street (Bale Street to Oxford Street)
9pm–2am
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Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)
Parking suspensions from 8am on 29 December until 6am on 2 January
Peter Street (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
Parking suspensions from 6pm on 30 December until 6am on 1 January
Oxford Street (Lower Mosley Street to Portland Street)
Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
George Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street)
Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)
Museum Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
Southmill (Windmill Street to Bootle Street)
Accessible parking
Unreserved accessible event parking is available on Mount Street.
Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree
Daisy Jackson
A man has been charged for a series of burglaries in Wigan – one of which saw him nick the ingredients for a Christmas dinner.
Gary Marsh of Heath Street in Golborne had reportedly taken a number of festive food items from a freezer at an address.
In the burglary on 7 December, the 38-year-old took items including a frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets and a handful of Christmas appetisers.
Mr Walsh also made off with a pack of prawns, spring rolls and chicken satay skewers.
Police have said he has been charged for stealing ‘a Christmas dinner worth of goods’.
He’s been charged with six counts of burglary and one vehicle interference and will appear at Manchester Magistrates Court today.
Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
GMP said in a statement today: “One frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets and a handful of Christmas appetisers.
“Gary Marsh 16/05/1986 of Heath Street, Golborne, in Wigan, was charged on Wednesday 18 December with six counts of burglary and one vehicle interference.
“On 7 December 2024, the following items were reportedly taken from the freezer in the basement of an address: a frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets, a pack of prawns, spring rolls and chicken satay skewers.”
The Manc -
26th April 2021 
