Fifty firefighters tackle Rivington moorland blaze (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Fifty firefighters tackle Rivington moorland blaze

3:29pm Monday 24th May 2010 in Rivington By Sarah Poole

SMOKE was seen billowing into the skies when a huge blaze swept through the moors yesterday.

More than 50 firefighters used fire beaters to dampen down the flames at Winter Hill, Rivington.

Ten fire engines were called at about 1.45pm when the fire took hold and spread across approximately 800sq metres of moorland.

Some firefighters were kitted-out with aqua packs and an all-terrain vehicle was also used to spray water on to the grass.

Fire crews managed to bring the fire under control and extinguish most of the flames by 5pm.

Volunteers from Bolton Mountain Rescue were also in attendance.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “When firefighters arrived there were three spots of fire and it was blowing across the Winter Hill mast.

“We have a team of officers from Greater Manchester Police, Lancashire Police and the fire services investigating how the fire started.

"It could be down to the dry, hot weather, but there are also a lot of walkers about so we may never find out.”