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Firefighters tackle large gorse blaze at Groudle Glen

IOM FIRE SERVICE Firefighter tackling the blazeIOM FIRE SERVICE
The cause of the fire remains unknown

Firefighters have spent five hours tackling a large blaze near a beauty spot in the east of the Isle of Man.

Crews from Douglas, Laxey, Ramsey, Kirk Michael, and Rushen attended the gorse fire on the headland at Groudle Glen shortly before 21:00 BST on Thursday.

They used 5,500 gallons (25,000 litres) of water to extinguish the blaze on the "challenging terrain" of the headland and the beach below.

The Isle of Man Fire Service said the cause was currently unknown.

The glen is home to a miniature railway which runs along the headland.

IOM FIRE SERVICE Crews on the headlandIOM FIRE SERVICE
Crews from five areas attended the blaze

A spokesman for Groudle Glen Railway said its volunteers were "extremely grateful" for the fire service's "swift action" in tackling the blaze.

Confirming there had been no damage to the railway itself, he said the incident was a "timely reminder of the dangers of lighting fires and barbeques in such areas".

GGR Firefighters by railway line tackling blazeGGR
The fire spread to just below the railway line
IOM FIRE SERVICE Firefighter tackling blazeIOM FIRE SERVICE
Firefighters spent five hours at the scene of the blaze
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