FIREFIGHTERS are investigating after a moorland fire in Hoddlesden. 

Four fire fire engines and crews and a 4x4 and crew from Blackburn, Darwen and Great Harwood, were sent to the incident.

A firespokesman said: "Firefighters used beaters and leaf blowers to extinguish the fire over a period of an hour and twenty minutes.

"The cause of the fire is to be established." 

Issuing advice to people using the moors, a fire spokesman said fortunately the crews put the fire out before it got too dark but darkness is hazardous when trying to tackle these types of fires.

He said: “We would urge walkers and anyone out on the moors to not disgard cigarettes.

“If this was a deliberate fire then have a thought about the consequences that might have and the impact on other people or yourself if it takes a crew away from an emergency response.”

Reece Guy sent us some photographs of crews dealing with incident which started at 8.30pm at Pickup Bank.

Mr Guy said: "It was the left hand side of the road opposite Pike Low farm.

"The road itself was Broadhead Road.

"Roughly three engines are on site and there are some very strong north westly winds with luckily some snow behind.

"It will be a shame on the wildlife ground nesting birds such as skylarks, meadow pippits, lap wing, curlews which are seen in that area regularly. 

Earlier this month crews issued a warning after a smouldering disposable barbecue caused moorland in Foulridge to go up in flames. 

The same weekend there was a moor fire in Bacup and Heysham Moss which destroyed the habitat supporting a large colony of butterflies.