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Urgent appeal for sun cream, socks and hats for moors fire crews

Written by on 02/07/2018

Fire crews working to put out fires on moorland in Greater Manchester are in urgent need of sun cream, insect repellent, hats and socks.

More than 100 firefighters are still tackling unprecedented blazes in Tameside and Bolton in temperatures which are expected to stay at around 27C (80F) this week.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) tweeted an appeal for donations for the crews: “We are in urgent need of the following at Stalybridge Community Fire Station, SK15 1RF: – Sun cream – Insect repellent – Baseball caps – Pairs of socks, thick and thin.

“If you can contribute our firefighters up on the Tameside moors would really appreciate it.”

The fire on Saddleworth Moor, near Stalybridge, Tameside, began on 24 June and reignited the following day before rapidly spreading.

GMFRS tweeted that it had been an “extraordinary weekend”.

“The incident at Tameside rolls into a second week, while we continue to work with @LancashireFRS in Bolton,” it added.

Assistant county fire officer, Dave Keelan, from GMFS said: “Crews are working in extremely difficult and challenging circumstances. It’s not just the weather that’s difficult but also the geography of the site – getting the equipment, the firefighters and the water up to where the firefighters are is really challenging.

“But I can’t praise crews enough – they’ve done a fantastic job and are working so hard.

“The temperature is one of the most challenging aspect for firefighters at the moment – working in fire kit with the sun beating down is really difficult and we are rotating them as much as we can.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham visited Saddleworth Moor today where he said the situation had become “much more serious”.

He added that he will be asking the government to take a “closer interest in what is happening” and added that he believes more air support is needed.

Last week Mr Burnham thanked everyone who had donated refreshments for the crews and asked for isotonic drinks, water, sandwiches, fruit and energy or chocolate bars.

On Sunday Sky News was told that helicopters had spotted arsonists lighting new fires near Bolton.

Tony Crook from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said: “You will get caught, and you will get dealt with.”

A 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of starting a fire has been released under investigation.

More than 20 fire engines are at the scene of the fire in Lancashire after the firefighting operation resumed at dawn.

A “large-scale attack” was launched against the “rapidly developing, aggressive fire” on Winter Hill on Sunday.

A video tweeted by LFRS showed fire crews walking through thick smoke beating down hot spots.

LFRS said after donations had been made at its Chorley training centre they now “have enough supplies now for the foreseeable future”.

The army and fire crews from counties around the country are assisting with the operation.

(c) Sky News 2018: Urgent appeal for sun cream, socks and hats for moors fire crews