999 crew’s warning for moor arsonists

CHARRED.. firefighters say the bike tracks helped contain the fire on Crompton Moor

Grass blaze alert
FIREFIGHTERS are warning teenagers to put a stop to destructive behaviour after grass fires devastated Crompton Moor over the weekend.

The message came as officers were alerted to seven call-outs to the area in under a month.

High winds at Pingot quarry on Saturday made their job more difficult as crews from Oldham, Chadderton and Rochdale battled to contain the three-acre fire from 2.30pm.

Flames licked dry grass at the local beauty-spot, wafted by gusts around the new family bike trail. Crews continued dampening the blaze until 9pm.

With firefighters also visiting the site on Friday, following reports of youths trying to put out a fire with their coats, the area around the quarry is fast becoming a problem.

Oldham Watch Commander John Campbell said: “Young people do not realise the dangers. It is always an issue at this time of year. They think it’s a bit of fun but it soon escalates.”

Less than 24 hours earlier, a fire crew was called to same area.

Fellow watch commander at Oldham, Duncan Millington, said: “Parents need to know where their children are and what they are doing. It’s using our resources when we could be called to house fires where people’s lives are in danger.

“Fires on the edge of the quarry are incredibly dangerous. One wrong move from a firefighter could end in tragedy.”

The area is all too often an after-dark meeting point for local teens.

Colin White, from the Friends of Crompton Moor Group, said: “A lot of our members planted trees and do litter picks but unfortunately it is becoming a place that attracts troublemakers.”

Large-scale fires were also seen on moors at Belmont, near Bolton, over the weekend.

Secretary of the Crompton Moor group, Marian Herod, said: “There is always a member of the group up on the moors, who will be politely approaching those who are camping and lighting fires. The majority of young people do so in ignorance to the dangers, so we’re concentrating our efforts on being a visible force and bringing about change.”

Watch Commander Peter Shaw reinforced the message after a blaze tore through a derelict house in Norfolk Street, Werneth, on Saturday night.

Youths had broken through metal window guards and set alight rubbish, which is thought to have been burning for over 24 hours without anyone noticing.

He said: “These properties are dangerous. It’s irresponsible.”

Locals are now being urged to be the eyes and ears for firefighters and aid the service by quickly reporting fires and be on the lookout for suspicious behaviour.