Firefighters tackle cliffside gorse blaze

IOM FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE Smoke from the fire on the cliffsideIOM FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
Residents in the village are urged to keep doors and windows closed

Firefighters have been tackling a gorse fire on a cliffside in the south of the island.

A crew from Port Erin fire station were called to the blaze in neighbouring village Port St Mary shortly after 16:20 GMT on Sunday.

Residents in the area were advised to keep their windows and doors closed as crews dealt with the fire due the level of smoke in the area.

A spokesman for the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service said on arrival the crew was “met with multiple scenes of fire with gorse well alight on the cliffside”.

After the blaze was put out the area was “well drenched” to prevent “any further ignition”, he added.

IOM FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE Firefighters with a fire hoseIOM FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
The crew spent three hours tackling the blaze

The Isle of Man Constabulary said it was working with the fire service to establish the cause of the blaze.

Officers have called for anyone with information or photographs of people in the area at the time to come forward.

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