Deliberate Winter Hill blaze almost exactly on anniversary of similar offence last year

Firefighters have made an appeal to the public over yesterday's blazing wildfire at Winter Hill near Rivington, which is being treated as deliberate.
The fire on Winter Hill yesterdayThe fire on Winter Hill yesterday
The fire on Winter Hill yesterday

They are urging anyone with information about it to contact the police.

The blaze occurred almost almost exactly a year after a similar blaze on March 25 last year, which was also believed to be deliberate.

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Teams from Lancashire Fire and Rescue and supporting crews spent several hours at the scene yesterday, tackling what proved to be an extensive blaze covering an area of around 2km, with flames as high as 6m.

Eight fire engines from stations including Preston, Chorley Blackburn, Bacup and Manchester were involved.

People were asked to stay away from the vicinity for their own safety and to clear the way for emergency vehicles after the fire took hold at around 2.45pm.

Senior fire officer Shaun Walter posted on social media this morning: "We are treating it as deliberate. If you have any information on how the fire started then please contact Lancashire Police stating yesterday’s date and log number 805."

Alternatively, they are advised to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.