Large moorland wildfire 'developed rapidly'

Firefighters from around West Yorkshire have been tackling a large wildfire on Marsden Moor.

Crews were called to the fire near March Haigh Reservoir at about 17:00 BST, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) said, adding it had "developed rapidly".

Six fire engines and five wildlife support units were in attendance at 20:00 BST, but some had since left to return at "first light" on Friday, the service said.

Station commander Chris Bell, of WYFRS, said there was no current indication of the cause, but police would investigate if they "deem it appropriate".

"Do not go on the moor and keep yourself safe," Mr Bell said.

"These incidents are particularly challenging for our crews.

"We have invested heavily in getting the right equipment, but they are massively labour intensive and difficult to manage."

Crews from Greater Manchester were also in attendance, WYFRS said.

In late March, more than a dozen fire crews tackled a moorland blaze measuring an area of 6 miles (10km) by 3 miles (5km) in a similar area.

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