Helicopter brought in by fire service to help tackle blaze on Marsden Moor

A helicopter has been drafted in to help fire crews tackling a huge blaze on Marsden Moor in West Yorkshire.

Crews were stationed on the moor overnight following the fire which broke out on Sunday evening.

Firefighters tackle any resurgence of a moor fire on Marsden Moorplaceholder image
Firefighters tackle any resurgence of a moor fire on Marsden Moor

Huge plumes of smoke could be seen for miles following the outbreak of the fire.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service put out a statement at 6.30am this morning (Apr 27) warning people to stay away from the moor.

It said: "Our crews are continuing to respond to the fire on Marsden Moor.

"We now have 13 fire engines on the scene, plus 2 from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service & specialist wildfire units from Todmorden, Holmfirth, Skelmanthorpe and Slaithwaite.

"A helicopter will also support ours and our partners’ work again today. Please stay away from the area and off Marsden Moor."

Yesterday, just four crews were at the scene but that figure steadily increased as the day went on. WYFRS said at its height, the fire had a one mile flame front.

The helicopter has been picking up water from the nearby Butterly Reservoir to drop on the fire.

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