Oldham firefighters have been sent to Dovestone Reservoir for the second time in days to tackle another moorland fire.

Fire crews were called out in the early hours of Monday (July 18) at approximately 1.30am after receiving reports of another blaze at the Saddleworth site.

The crews were battling the moorland fire for hours and remain at the scene.

Greater Manchester Police and RSPB Dovestone were also on the scene to assist the fire services.

Video footage released on Twitter shows at least three emergency services vehicles were still present on the scene, including fire engines and an ambulance, by 11.40am on Monday.

A large patch of the moorland appears to have been heavily burnt as the footage reveals the green grass has turned black.

In a post online, Oldham Fire service urged others to “act responsibly” during the exceptionally hot weather and to “be ‘moor’ aware”.

 

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Firefighters were called out to a number of moorland fires in the Saddleworth area in the early hours of Monday morning.

"In total, eight fire engines, from across the region - as well as a Haglund Wildfire Unit - have been at Chew Reservoir, Greenfield, at various points throughout the night and morning to tackle three seats of fire on moorland.

“After being called out at 1.30am, fire crews remain at the scene and are using hose reels and beaters to control the fires.

"Three fire engines also attended a different fire at Yeoman Hey Reservoir, Greenfield just after 1am.

"Firefighters used hose reels and beaters to extinguish the fire which involved felled trees and bracken and spent half an hour at the scene.

"Investigations into the cause of the fires will be carried out."

In a post online, RSPB Dovestone sent its thanks to the fire team, GMP Oldham and United Utilities for "all your support this weekend".

The team said it will remain at Dove Stone to talk to the public and assist with investigations.

It is not the first time this month that firefighters have been dispatched to the reservoir and Oldham's moorland areas.

Just last week on Monday, July 11, the team was called out at approximately 11pm to Bank Lane in Greenfield where four large seats of fire in a woodland area had broken out. 

The team had also been called out the Sunday evening (July 10) to tackle a fire at Yeoman Hey Reservoir, just north of Dovestone Reservoir.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said investigations into the cause of the fires will be carried out.