Arson investigation under way after moorland blaze

Police and firefighters believe a moorland blaze earlier this week may have been started deliberately.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said its crews were alerted at about 17:44 GMT on Monday to a fire near a wind turbine farm on Scout Moor in Rossendale, Lancashire.

Lancashire Police confirmed the blaze, close to Gin Croft Lane near Edenfield, was "suspicious", and has launched a joint investigation with LFRS who added: "This incident is being treated as deliberate."

At its height, the fire could be seen from more than 20 miles (32km) away in Eccles, Greater Manchester.

LFRS said "one fire engine from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue and a wildfire unit from Lancashire Fire and Rescue" spent four hours tackling the fire.

The service deployed an all-terrain vehicle specifically used for tackling moorland fires and used beaters to extinguish the fire.

Crews also made use of infrared drone technology to help identify hotspots and monitor its spread.

LFRS said high winds at the time had made its operation more difficult.

A spokeswoman said: "We would like to take this opportunity to stress the importance of not igniting wildfires.

"These incidents are challenging and place people, property, and large areas of land at significant risk.

"They also divert valuable and limited emergency resources away from other incidents where they may be urgently needed."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.