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
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Teams and fixture date confirmed for first-ever regular season NBA game in Manchester
Danny Jones
In another major coup for Manchester, the NBA is coming to our shores for just the second time in our history, and now the teams set to take part have finally been announced.
Having only been played in the UK on a relative handful of occasions, this is nothing short of a massive milestone for the city.
Last crossing the pond back in 2019, the NBA has only visited 0161 once before over a decade ago at the old AO Arena, and there’s only been a total of 19 transatlantic meetings up until now.
As if that wasn’t exciting enough, being confirmed as part of the NBA’s new European slate, Manchester is also set to be one of the first venues in the UK to ever host a regular-season game outside of the United States. Massive. Here’s who’s playing and when:
NBA Europe managed to secure a three-year programme of fixtures that will feature as part of the league’s normal competitive season in late 2025.
As you can see, kicking off next year and running until 2028 at the very least, the current deal will see the much-loved sport watched worldwide first land on the continent for a pair of games next year in Berlin and London, before heading to Paris and our very own Manchester in Q1.
Florida’s Orlando Magic and Tennessee’s Memphis Grizzlies had already been announced for the first two games last July, and now the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans are set to face off for the Manc meeting.
With Basketball England being officially headquartered within the wider Etihad Campus, there was no question that the Manchester NBA fixture was going to be held at Co-op Live.
As well as being not just the biggest indoor entertainment venue of its kind in England but all of Europe, the arena has also recently welcomed the likes of the UFC, WWE and multiple boxing bouts, proving it can serve as the perfect host for premier live sporting action on a global scale.
In addition to the matches themselves, the Spurs and Pelicans will also be holding various fan activities and events within the region as part of the NBA Cares social impact programming initiative, with a focus on health, wellness, sustainability and coaching, as well as both player and even referee development.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS AND SAN ANTONIO SPURS TO PLAY REGULAR-SEASON GAMES IN PARIS AND MANCHESTER IN 2027
Spurs and Pelicans to Face Off on Jan. 14 in Paris and Jan. 17 in Manchester
The NBA today announced that the New Orleans Pelicans and the San Antonio Spurs will play… pic.twitter.com/S80Yl102Fg
Speaking on the seismic news last summer, the leader of Manchester City Council and representative for Burnage, Bev Craig, could only echo how big a deal this is for the region.
“Manchester once again has shown what a magnificent draw it is for major events, and we are thrilled to welcome the NBA back to our city”, she said. “This city is known for big names, big games and a reputation for showcasing world-class events on the biggest stage possible.
“With a growing basketball scene in Manchester, this event feels like the perfect fit and will give so many people in our city the chance to see what the best athletes in the sport can do on our home turf.
“When it comes to delivering world-class events, we know that Manchester is now firmly on the map. Now, working with our partners, we want to continue driving investment towards our city, creating new jobs, increasing growth and providing new opportunities and experiences for all of our residents.”
You can register your interest for tickets to see Spurs vs Pelicans in a proper competitive NBA regular season round right at the Co-op Live in Manchester, right HERE; remember, you can always spring for the discounted posh seats, as well.
Family pay tribute to 17-year-old girl who died in crash during police pursuit in Bolton
Emily Sergeant
The family of a 17-year-old girl who sadly lost her life in a collision in Bolton earlier this month have now paid tribute to her.
Erica De Sousa Correia sadly died in hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning (19 May), following injuries sustained in a collision on Walker Fold Road in Bolton back on 5 May.
Her passing comes after, at around 6:25pm on 5 May, a car activated an ANPR camera in the Bolton area, having previously being marked as a suspicious vehicle.
A short time later, officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) traffic unit spotted the vehicle, which failed to stop on Old Kiln Lane, and following a brief pursuit, the vehicle subsequently crashed on Walker Fold Road.
The driver of the vehicle – a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons – was charged with a number of offences, including causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and has been bailed pending further enquiries.
An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is ongoing at this time.
In the meantime, Erica’s family has now paid tribute to her: “Erica’s happiness was contagious. She loved to dance and sing and loved spending time in Portugal with her family. She wanted to become a midwife as she loved children and also studied travel and tourism. She was incredibly intelligent and studied hard and got good grades in school .
“Erica was due to celebrate her 18th birthday on 1 June and was looking forward to having a party to celebrate her special day. She even had her outfit planned for her birthday.
The Manc -
26th April 2021 
