Fire crews damp down moorland blaze ‘caused by dropped cigarette’

Working to dampen down the moor at Widdop Moor, near Hebden Bridge, after the Sunday's fire Picture by Simon Hulme

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue declined to comment on reports on social media, that the blaze, which started at Widdop Reservoir on Sunday, had been caused by a discarded cigarette.

West Yorkshire Police said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but they are following up reports that people "were seen at the scene".

Inspector Ben Doughty, of the Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team, appealed for any witnesses to call the non-emergency number 101.

The devastation left by the blaze on Widdop Moor Picture: Simon Hulme

He added: “We would urge people to follow advice by the Fire and Rescue Service around being careful at all times around moorland which is particularly dry and fragile.”

Yesterday a fire engine from West Yorkshire joined three from Lancashire to ensure the tinder-dry moorland does not flare up again.

There has already been a significant fire this year on Meltham Moor, near Huddersfield, which saw firefighters tackling a “mile-long fire-front” at Deer Hill reservoir, at the end of last month.

The outbreak saw two water companies, who together own more than 30 moors in Yorkshire, Lancashire and Derbyshire, instruct tenants to abandon their annual programme of controlled heather burning. The official burning season ended last week.

At the height of the most recent blaze eight pumps were mobilised.

Support was called in from West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services.