Moor fire probe

The fire above Mossley

CHRONICLE reader Steve Bentley captured this dramatic scene as fire swept across moorland above Mossley.

Arsonists were blamed for the blaze which destroyed three acres of heather. Six crews from Mossley, Ashton and Stalybridge were called to Castle Lane, near Micklehurst Cricket Club, at 7.30pm on Tuesday. It took 25 firefighters three hours to get the blaze under control.

Helicopters were drafted in and residents helped by dragging hoses up above Carrbrook. An investigation is under way.