Farmers help extinguish huge moorland fire near Diggle

Fire crews have extinguished a huge fire in Greater Manchester with support from local farmers.

The blaze was visible for miles on Wednesday night with smoke billowing into the sky north of Oldham, near the village of Diggle.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said it was still advising nearby residents to keep their windows and doors closed and to avoid the area.

Fire crews worked for two hours to extinguish the blaze and have “returned in daylight hours to review the scene”.

GMFRS said: “Six fire engines from Chadderton, Mossley, Stalybridge, Hollins, Ashton and Hyde and wildfire units from across Greater Manchester” were called to a moorland fire off the A635 near the Diggle area.

“Crews arrived quickly to try and extinguish the fire with support from local farmers, before departing after two hours due to the lack of daylight.

“The fire has now been extinguished.”

The cause of the fire, near Huddersfield Road and Holmfirth Road, has not been confirmed.

A photo shared by a resident showed large orange flames lining the crest of a hill on the moor, with plumes of smoke pouring across the hills.

Steve Kay said he saw the smoke from his home and “farmers in 4x4s possibly taking fire crews to the scene”.