Image copyright @Carnforth_Fire Image caption Twelve fire engines remain at the scene

A man has been arrested on suspicion of starting a moorland blaze on Winter Hill in Lancashire, close to a TV transmitter mast.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service went to the moorland fire on the hill near Bolton at 15:20 BST on Thursday.

A 22-year-old man from Bolton is being held as part of a joint investigation between the fire service and police.

Greater Manchester Fire Service said it was tackling a second fire in Bolton which broke out on Friday morning.

Lancashire fire crews, who had been in a reserve role supporting colleagues in Greater Manchester dealing with a huge blaze near Saddleworth Moor, were moved to the Winter Hill fire on Thursday evening.

The fire, which crews were expected to be at until Saturday, covers an area of about 1.5 sq miles (4 sq km).

Image copyright @LythamFire Image caption About 100 firefighters have been tackling the fire

Work on the Saddleworth fire, which spread across 7 sq miles (18 sq km), saw soldiers from A Company of the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, join firefighters on Thursday.

Eighteen fire engines remain at the scene on Winter Hill, including crews from Cumbria and Merseyside, alongside specialist wildlife units.

About 100 firefighters, who resumed their work at first light, are being assisted by mountain rescue officers and a helicopter from water firm United Utilities (UU).

The aircraft will be taking water from the nearby Rivington Reservoir to drop on the affected area.

A fire service spokesman said while there was no immediate risk to livestock, domestic properties or infrastructure, people living nearby should keep windows and doors closed.

The latest fire to affect moorland around Greater Manchester broke near to Horrocks Moor Farm on Scout Road at 02:00 BST.

Fifty firefighters were at the scene of the fire, which spanned 2km in length.</s>Have your say

A 22-year-old man fhas been arrested in connection with a moorland fire at Winter Hill in Lancashire.

In a statement, Lancashire Police said: "Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire Fire and Rescue are carrying out a joint investigation into the cause of a fire at Winter Hill near Bolton.

"Fire crews continue to tackle the blaze which broke out yesterday afternoon (Thursday).

"The origin and cause of the fire remain unknown.

"One man, aged 22, from Bolton, has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life."

Fire crews will work throughout the night to prevent a moorland fire spreading in Winter Hill, Lancashire Fire and Rescue said.

The service added 15 fire engines are on the scene after the blaze broke out on Thursday.</s>A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a huge fire broke out on Winter Hill.

More than 80 firefighters are tackling the flames on the peak, north of Bolton, for a second day.

Police have confirmed a 22-year-old man from Bolton has been detained on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

Crews were first called shortly after 3pm on Thursday afternoon and found a 1km squared area of peat land and grass was burning.

Operations had to be stepped down overnight for safety reasons, but firefighters returned at 4.30am when dawn broke on Friday.

At least 15 appliances are expected to attend through the day, a Lancashire Fire spokesman said.

“Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire Fire and Rescue are carrying out a joint investigation into the cause of a fire at Winter Hill near Bolton," he said.

“Fire crews continue to tackle the blaze which broke out yesterday afternoon (Thursday, June 28th).

"The origin and cause of the fire remain unknown.

“One man, aged 22, from Bolton, has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.”

Firefighters from Cumbria meanwhile have now joined colleagues from Lancashire and Greater Manchester at the scene on Rivington Moor.

In an update at first light, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said twelve fire service crews remained at the scene on the Bolton border, as well as three crews from Cumbria and specialist wildfire units.

Pockets of fire are continuing to burn, fuelled by the peat content of the vast Pennine moorland.

The fire service continued to urge people living near the scene to keep their windows and doors closed because of the acrid smoke.

Council bosses in Bolton meanwhile have issued a warning over ‘fire sightseers’.

The council said: “Keep away from Winter Hill. Reports are still coming in of cars driving to areas to view the fire and causing an obstruction.”

According to reports, emergency services ‘struggled to manoeuvre’ around parked vehicles due to the narrow access roads.

Donna Ball, assistant director of community services at the council, said: “Emergency services vehicles were having trouble getting to the scene near Winter Hill because of people driving up there, parking up their cars then walking to view the fire.

“Our message is please stay away and let the emergency services do their job.”

Fire crews are currently expected to remain at the scene all day containing the fire and damping down any hot spots.

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Join the Manchester Evening News breaking news Facebook group for a place to read and talk about breaking news in Greater Manchester.</s>A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire broke out at Winter Hill near Bolton, police say.

Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire Fire and Rescue say they are carrying out a joint investigation into the cause of the fire which broke out yesterday.

The origin and cause of the fire are still unknown but a 22-year-old from Bolton has been held on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

A combined force of 200 soldiers and firefighters are involved in efforts to contain the fires on the Pennine moors, but there are fresh concerns over their spreading.

About 80 firefighters worked through the night to tackle a new grass fire on Winter Hill, near Rivington, around 30 miles (50km) from the large blaze on Saddleworth Moor.

The fire on Saddleworth Moor, near Manchester, has been raging since Sunday.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said the eruption of a third blaze at Higher Swineshaw from 4am, along with that on the moor covering around seven square miles, meant they were "massively busy".

Scottish soldiers from the 100-strong A Company of the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, known as the Highlanders, have joined more than 100 firefighters who are battling the blaze.

The fires have been exacerbated by extremely warm weather, making them more difficult to extinguish.

The UK enjoyed the hottest day of the year on Thursday as the temperature soared to 33C (91.4F).

Porthmadog in Wales reached the sweltering high, beating successive highs since Monday.

Tony Hunter, assistant chief fire officer of GMFRS, said there had been a "significant" improvements in tackling the blaze on Saddleworth Moor.

But Mr Hunter warned that while the fire was now "contained and under control", "things can develop" and if the wind blows the flames back on to the moors it will act as a "fuel source" for the fire.

Mr Hunter said a "significant downpour of rain" would help - but none is forecast for days as the heatwave continues.

The hot weather is expected to continue into the weekend.</s>Firefighters are tackling a new moorland blaze as the Saddleworth Moor fires rage on.

Crew are tackling a new fire on Winter Hill, on the boundary of Bolton.

Lancashire Fire say they are sending several fire engines to the moorland location on Winter Hill alongside colleagues from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue.

The fire service are urging people to keep their windows and doors closed near to the scene of the fire, the Manchester Evening News reported .

There are currently 12 fire engines from Lancashire and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue at the moorland fire on Winter Hill.

George's Lane leading to Winter Hill has been closed by Lancashire Police.</s>Greater Manchester fire crews are dealing with a fire on Winter Hill, on the boundary of Bolton.

Lancashire Fire say they are sending several fire engines to the moorland location on Winter Hill alongside colleagues from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue.

The fire service are urging people to keep their windows and doors closed near to the scene of the fire.

There are currently 12 fire engines from Lancashire and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue at the moorland fire on Winter Hill.

George's Lane leading to Winter Hill has been closed by Lancashire Police.

We will bring you the latest updates from Winter Hill below.

Join the Manchester Evening News breaking news Facebook group for a place to read and talk about breaking news in Greater Manchester.</s>Fire crews have been dealing with a large blaze on Winter Hill, on the boundary of Bolton. Lancashire Fire say they have sent several fire engines to the moorland location on Winter Hill alongside colleagues from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue. The fire service are urging people to keep their windows and doors closed near to the scene of the fire. There are currently 12 fire engines from Lancashire and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue at the moorland fire on Winter Hill.</s>These are external links and will open in a new window

Up to 60 firefighters are tackling a blaze on Winter Hill involving the radio mast near Bolton.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said it had received reports the mast on the hill was alight at 15:20 BST.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have sent six crews to the scene, while Greater Manchester has dispatched six additional crews.

Smoke is visible across Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

A Lancashire fire spokesman said there were several pockets of fire and crews have been facing a 20 minute walk with their equipment to the site of the blaze.

Chorley MP Sir Lindsay Hoyle has urged people not to visit the area and said he is asking the authorities if they need any extra resources.</s>A major incident has been declared after two large-scale moorland fires merged.

People have been forced to flee their homes as hundreds of firefighters battle to put out what has now become one large blaze.

More than 100 firefighters are battling the fire in the West Pennine Moors, north of Bolton, after authorities declared a major incident.

Helicopters are being used in the frantic effort to stop the flames, amid fears a nearby radio mast which serves more than six million people will be damaged, the Manchester Evening News reports.

Fire service chiefs have requested military assistance, three days after the fire broke out on Thursday.

Lancashire Police said later that a 21-year-old man from Bolton has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

He has since been "released under investigation".

It comes just days after a massive fire broke out on Saddleworth Moor, which has covered an area of more than seven-square-miles between Tameside and Oldham, and the operation to put it out is expected to last into next week.

The latest fire covers an area of between six and eight kilometres, which has been described as a "vast" site.

Lancashire Fire Service has urged people to stop heading to the moors in an effort to help.

In a tweet, it wrote: "We’re really concerned that members of the public are heading up onto the moors. We really appreciate your offer to help but public safety is a priority and we ask people to stay away.

"Keeping windows and doors closed due to the smoke is also advised. Thank you."

The major incident has been called because the fire is close to the Winter Hill mast, which reaches more than six million people, providing TV stations in the North West.

Assistant chief officer Dave Russel said emergency services have asked for a ‘small number of homes’ to be evacuated on the Greater Manchester side.

The fires on Winter Hill, above Chorley, and Horrocks Farm at Scout Road, to the north of Bolton, are now being treated as one incident.

Crews were first called shortly after 3pm on Thursday afternoon and found a 1km squared area of peat land and grass was burning.

Earlier this week Manchester Fire Service warned that crews were "extremely busy" and urged people not to call 999 unless it was an emergency.

Operations had to be stepped down overnight for safety reasons, but firefighters returned at 4.30am when dawn broke on Friday.

Now Greater Manchester Police has put road closures in place to allow emergency services access to the site, and for public safety.</s>Two large-scale moorland fires have merged to create a major incident near Bolton, police said on Saturday. The fires on Winter Hill and Scout Road, near Bolton, have merged, with pedestrians and motorists urged to stay away from the area. Appealing to the public to keep their distance, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said in a post on Twitter they “appreciate” the offers of help but are “really concerned that members of the public are heading up on to the moors”. “Keeping windows and doors closed due to the smoke is also advised. Thank you,” the fire service added.

We’re really concerned that members of the public are heading up onto the moors. We really appreciate your offer to help but public safety is a priority and we ask people to stay away. Keeping windows and doors closed due to the smoke is also advised. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/PbKYFApuIL — Lancashire Fire (@LancashireFRS) June 30, 2018

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said it had 28 fire engines tackling the moorland fires. There are about 120 personnel on the moors, split between seven areas of wildfire in Tameside and Winter Hill, Bolton. Assistant chief fire officer Dave Keelan said: “This is an exceptionally challenging time and I am proud of the hard work and brave commitment of our firefighters.” Lancashire fire service area manager Tony Cook said “very intensive firefighting” is taking place on Winter Hill, including personnel doing shuttle runs in appliances to get water to the scene while others manually try to beat the fire out. Fire break trenches are also being dug to try and protect local buildings.

He told Rock FM News the blaze is now considered “a major fire with substantial consequences”, adding: “For us, one of the major issues is the strategic infrastructure of Winter Hill radio mast, so we need to protect them.” Scout Road, Belmont Road, Smithills Dean Road, Longshore Ford Road, Walker Fold Road at the junction with Chorley Old Road and Georges Lane at the junction with Matchmoor Lane are among the roads which have been closed.

Marklands Road at the junction with Georges Lane, Old Rake at the junction with Georges Lane plus Belmont Road at the junction with Rivington Terraced Gardens have also been shut. This latest development comes after the government was asked on Friday to extend the military deployment helping fight wildfires on Saddleworth moor for another three days, as fire chiefs record their busiest week in history. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said he had asked the Ministry of Defence to extend the deployment of a 100-strong group of soldiers from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, who joined the fight on Thursday, initially for 48 hours. Meanwhile, residents living near Saddleworth Moor have reported health fears including bleeding noses, eye irritation and chest problems.
A 22-year-old man from Bolton is arrested on suspicion of arson in relation to a large wildfire that is now burning on Winter Hill in Lancashire. The fire has now destroyed four square kilometres of moorland close to a radio transmission mast and is continuing to spread.