LIVE: Teenager arrested as smoke seen billowing from moors above Rochdale (2025)

Smoke can be seen billowing from the moors above Rochdale this afternoon (Wednesday, March 26). Pictures show plumes of smoke coming from moorland near Littleborough.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have confirmed they are tackling a fire on the moors around Blackstone Edge.

Five fire engines and specialist wildfire units are at the scene off Halifax Road and Blackstone Edge Old Road.

Dozens of firefighters battled fires near Dovestone Reservoir in Saddleworth and then a blaze that began on Marsden Moor and spread to the area around New Year's Bridge reservoir in Denshaw, Oldham, last Friday.

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Key Events

  • Teenager arrested on suspicion of arson

  • Fire service statement

  • Five fire engines at scene

Chris Slater

End of live coverage

We are concluding our live coverage of this incident here.

We will bring you any further updates on our website.

Thanks for following

Chris Slater

What we know

You can read a round-up of what we know about this incident here.

Chris Slater

Fire now extinguished

The fire service says they have now managed to exstinguish the fire.

In an update in the last few minutes, they said:

At shortly before 1.15pm on Wednesday (March 26) five fire engines from Rochdale, Horwich, Heywood and Chadderton fire stations plus specialist wildfire units were called to a fire on moorland off Blackstone Edge Old Road in Littleborough.

GMFRS attended alongside Greater Manchester Police to quickly bring the fire under control.

Crews have now extinguished the fire and are leaving the scene as no hot spots remain.

Chris Slater

More pictures

We've been sent these pictures showing the smoke still billowing up off the moors near Littleborough

LIVE: Teenager arrested as smoke seen billowing from moors above Rochdale (1)

LIVE: Teenager arrested as smoke seen billowing from moors above Rochdale (2)

KEY EVENT

Teenager arrested on suspicion of arson

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed a teenager has been arrested on suspicion of arson.

A spokesperson said

Shortly after 1pm this afternoon (Wednesday 26 March) we were called to reports of a fire on Moorside, Littleborough.

Emergency services attended and thankfully, no injuries have been reported.

A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of arson.

KEY EVENT

Fire service statement

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have just issued a further statement on the fire.

They said

At shortly before 1.15pm on Wednesday (March 26) five fire engines from Rochdale, Horwich, Heywood and Chadderton fire stations plus specialist wildfire units were called to a fire on moorland off Blackstone Edge Old Road in Littleborough

GMFRS attended alongside Greater Manchester Police to quickly bring the fire under control.

Crews remain in attendance to completely extinguish the fire.

Chris Slater

Greater Manchester units tackling blaze

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue (WYFRS) have confirmed that they are not in attendance at the incident, which is close to the Yorkshire border, at this time

Chris Slater

Third moor fire in five days

This is the third moor fire that has broken out in Greater Manchester.

L;ast Friday, crews tackled a fire on the moors near Greenfield and Dovestone reservoir in Oldham.

Then a huge blaze which started on Marsden Moor spread over towards Oldham and saw numerous fire engines tackling flames around the New Year's Bridge reservoir in Denshaw.

KEY EVENT

Five fire engines at scene

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have confirmed they are currently tackling the fire, which is in their patch, and has broken out on the moors around Blackstone Edge.

A GMFRS spokesperson said:

I confirm five fire engines and specialist wildfire units are tackling a fire on the moors off Blackstone Edge Old Road/Halifax Road.

They are getting fire under control at the moment.

Chris Slater

Pictures of smoke

We have been sent these pictures of the smoke which were taken just off Halifax Road in Smallbridg.e, looking towards West Yorkshire.

LIVE: Teenager arrested as smoke seen billowing from moors above Rochdale (3)

LIVE: Teenager arrested as smoke seen billowing from moors above Rochdale (4)

LIVE: Teenager arrested as smoke seen billowing from moors above Rochdale (5)

LIVE: Teenager arrested as smoke seen billowing from moors above Rochdale (2025)
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