By Nathan Findlay –
Firefighters are continuing to tackle a large fire that erupted across Marsden Moor on Sunday evening.
The fire, which started around 7 pm, has caused major damage and was avoidable according to the National Trust.
At the time of writing, the moor has a flame front of about two miles with an area of five square kilometers affected by the blaze.
Around 70 firefighters and 13 fire engines from West Yorkshire and further afield, plus partners, have been on the scene at Marsden Moor today trying to take down the blaze. A helicopter has also been called in to assist.
The fire has been declared a major incident.
Update | Marsden Moor
The fire currently has a flame front of 2miles with an area of 2square miles affected by the blaze
Currently around 70 firefighters are on scene plus partners
Please stay away from the areaPhotos from our on-call firefighters at Featherstone#bemooraware pic.twitter.com/dvh0dVwcgD
— West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (@WYFRS) April 27, 2021
Public Health England
Public Health England has added some health advice for residents in the area.
In a statement they said: “Residents in areas affected by the smoke should stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed.
“Motorists who must travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.
“It’s important that local residents understand that the risks to their health are low, however, because any smoke is an irritant, it can make people’s eyes and throat sore.
“People with asthma and other respiratory conditions may be particularly susceptible to the smoke and should carry and use their medication (such as inhalers) as usual.”
West Yorkshire Police update
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman has said: “Police have spoken to a man who is believed to be responsible for causing the fire on Marsden Moor on Sunday, 25 April; however, this is believed to be accidental and no arrests have been made.
“Police are liaising with the council in relation to an investigation into a breach of the Public Space Protection Order that is in place on the site.”
Since yesterday, the fire on Marsden Moor has almost doubled in size from around one mile long to an estimated two miles long.
Update| Marsden Moor
Our crews continue to respond to the fire on #MarsdenMoorWe currently have 13 appliances, plus 2 from @manchesterfire & specialist wildfire units on scene
A helicopter will also support ours & our partners' work today
Image taken 26/4/21 pic.twitter.com/TVd3FELsZ9
— West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (@WYFRS) April 27, 2021
UPDATE: Fireworks found near the site
The BBC has reported that one of their film crews have found a used box of fireworks near the site of the blaze.
The box labelled ‘Cosmic Chaos’ was found empty, indicating that the fireworks had been set off, though it has not been confirmed that this was the cause of the fire.
A Public Spaces Protection Order expressly prohibits bonfires, fireworks and barbecues anywhere on the moor.