Woman charged with arson over Dove Stone Reservoir fire

A woman has been charged with arson after a large fire broke out on moorland in Greater Manchester.

Shania Care-Slede, 20, of Market Street, Hyde has been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving, Greater Manchester Police confirmed.

She is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said the fire at Dove Stone Reservoir in Greenfield, Saddleworth, which broke out on Saturday, “remains active but is currently in a steady state, with around 70 firefighters, 11 fire engines and four wildfire units who are continuing to make progress across the area”.

Ben Levy GMFRS area manager said: “I envisage our firefighters are going it be on these moors for a number of days, I am sure of it – there is no significant rainfall forecast the temperatures are due to remain high.”

He added: “Where our firefighters are it is very very steep and unsteady under foot.

“They are wearing heavy gear and any water they want to use is not up there. Water is not our only way of putting these fires out, we’ve got specialist teams up there who are doing their best to get this under control.”

The fire, which has been declared a major incident by the fire service, sent large plumes of smoke for miles across the wider region. The effects of smoke can be smelled miles away.