Firefighters battle massive blaze at Manchester moor as heatwave set to spike

Firefighters are tackling a huge blaze in Manchester with emergency crews continuing to work the scene after a wildfire broke out overnight, with flames engulfing part of Saddleworth Moor and roads cut off.

In a statement issued on Thursday, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed: “Our crews have been tackling a moorland fire near Holmfirth Road in Oldham through the night.

“Please avoid the area while emergency services respond to the incident.”

The blaze comes after wildfires have ravaged Greater Manchester and other parts of the UK over the summer, with firefighting unions calling current dry conditions a “national emergency”.

Earlier this summer, major fires broke out at Dovestone and Tintwistle earlier this summer, with the blazes damaging nearly 1,000 acres of land.

This is a breaking news story. Check back in later for further updates.