Firefighters urge residents to be safe after busy weekend across Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is urging people to be safe after a busy weekend saw crews tackling incidents including moorland fires, a blaze involving 200 tonnes of paper and an incident where firefighters rescued two dogs, a canary, a hamster and a tortoise.

Firefighters attended hundreds of incidents across the weekend and, with the warm weather expected to last another few days, the public are being urged to stay safe, especially if having a barbecue, enjoying the countryside or on the moors.

Incidents attended included a large industrial fire on Friday (May 29) night in Kirklees Industrial Estate, Aspull, which involved around 200 tonnes of paper. At the peak of the fire, seven fire engines were on the scene at the peak of the fire, with firefighters not leaving until Sunday (May 31) morning.

A number of crews from Greater Manchester also spent the weekend assisting Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service tackling a large moor fire on Darwen Moor. A number of crews from both Greater Manchester and Lancashire continue to tackle the fire today.

In total, from Friday to Sunday, GMFRS attended 453 incidents including false alarms.

Firefighters tackled a range of other incidents, including kitchen fires, rubbish fires and road traffic collisions.

One incident saw firefighters extinguish a house fire in St Paul’s Close, Stalybridge. GMFRS received a call at around 3pm yesterday (May 31) and two fire engines from Ashton and Stalybridge, as well as the technical response unit from Ashton-Under-Lyne attended.

The fire involved a record player in a kitchen and is believed to have been caused by the plug overheating. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued two dogs, a canary, a hamster and a tortoise and used one hose reel and a positive pressure ventilation fan to tackle the fire. Crews were on the scene for around 25 minutes.

Group Manager Steve Jordan said: “I would like to start by thanking all of our firefighters, staff and colleagues from North West Fire Control for their hard work this weekend.

“With the hot weather set to continue for a couple of days yet, we are urging people to make sure they are being safe. We know people are looking forward to seeing their loved ones from today but please, if you decide to have a barbecue, do not use them on moorland or balconies, never leave it unattended, concentrate on what you are doing and keep a bucket of water nearby in case of emergencies.

“Our crews are continuing to assist colleagues from Lancashire with a large moor fire on Darwen Moor near Bolton today. This incident shows just how easily a fire can start on the moors or in the countryside so please, if you are out walking be extremely careful. Our message could not be simpler – do not have barbecues on the moors and never start campfires as these can spread incredibly quickly, with devastating results.

“While we are dealing with large incidents such as this one, our crews are still needed to deal with a range of other incidents across Greater Manchester, so please while you are at home, be safe, especially in the kitchen and take time to read all of our safety information to keep yourself and your family safe.”

Partnership work in 2019 resulted in a Public Space Protection Order being enforced in parts of Oldham and Tameside –meaning that people caught lighting barbecues and fires, as well as setting off fireworks and sky lanterns, will be fined £100. Failure to pay could result in prosecution through the courts.

Read our barbecue safety advice.

Find advice for keeping safe on the moors or in the countryside.

Read how to keep safe at home.

People are also reminded never to burn rubbish and to store waste safely. Household Waste Recycling Centres are also now open for essential visits only. Visit Recycle for Greater Manchester's website for more information (opens in new window). 

Article Published: 01/06/2020 14:07 PM