News
Three teenagers arrested on suspicion of arson after large moorland fire in Bury
A police investigation is now underway.
Emily Sergeant -
19th May 2025 
Three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a large moorland fire took place in Bury last month.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained it was called to reports of an ‘ongoing fire’ at Holcombe Hill at around 12:30pm on Tuesday 13 May, and officers accompanied colleagues from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) in attending the scene.
After emergency services attended, the fire was successfully contained and put out later in the afternoon.
An investigation was then subsequently launched.
#ARREST | Three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a large moorland fire took place in Bury on Tuesday 13 May 2025.
— Bury Police (GMP) (@GMPBuryPolice) May 16, 2025
We were called at 12.30pm to reports of an ongoing fire at Holcombe Hill.
All three teenagers have been bailed.https://t.co/S2g3bW35ol pic.twitter.com/BFucPecN73
“Wildfires can spread quickly and cause devastation to the land and wildlife on it,” explained GMFRS’s wildfire lead and national tactical adviser for wildfires, Ady Taylor, “so it’s vitally important that people call 999 as soon as they think they see a fire.”
He continued: “We want people to enjoy the countryside and moorland we have in Greater Manchester, but… [we] remind people to always act responsibly while out enjoying these environments.
“This means no BBQs, fires or fireworks – as they can easily result in wildfires.”
On Wednesday 14 May 2025, a teenage boy was arrested on suspicion of arson and interviewed by police in relation to the incident, and then the following day on Thursday 15 May 2025, another two boys were also arrested – with each of the three having now been released on bail pending further enquiries while investigations are ongoing.
Detective Inspector Andy Wright, from GMP’s Bury district, added: “The moorland fire is being investigated as arson following information from a witness and enquiries we have made.
“We have managed to apprehend three teenagers in relation to this incident, all of them have been bailed following interviews with our officers.”
GMP and GMFRS is reminding Greater Manchester residents that if they see a fire in the countryside, they need to report it immediately, leave the area as soon as possible, and dial 999, and if you witness illegal activity in relation to the fire, then you can report it to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Read more:
- Disposable barbecues could be banned in the UK to cut down on wildfire risk
- Greater Manchester council tax could be increased to improve region’s fire service
- Wigan woman jailed after hitting pedestrian in Fiat 500 while driving high on nitrous oxide ‘balloons’
“Fires can have such a devastating effect, and we are lucky that this has not caused a significant amount of damage, or cost lives,” Detective Inspector Andy Wright concluded.
Featured Image – Mick Garrett (via Geograph)
