Police helicopter spots arsonists lighting new fires near Winter Hill

More than 100 firefighters from across the country have been battling the blaze

A police helicopter has reportedly spotted arsonists starting new fires on the moors near Winter Hill, where an 8 km sq wildfire has been declared a major incident. The battle to control the fire has seen more than 100 firefighters, 22 fire engines, drones and a utilities helicopter from across the country, as well as members of the army, deployed to Winter Hill, near Bolton. Blazes on Winter Hill and Scout Road merged together to form a "rapidly developing, aggressive" fire. It was the second major incident last week, following the Saddleworth Moor fire near Manchester. Now police have witnessed people attempting to start new fires in the immediate vicinity of the blaze. Tony Crook, from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, told Sky News the incident was "absolutely heart-breaking and unbelievable." "Unbelievably, just the other side of the reservoir, there is a fire developing in that location," Mr Crook said. He said that as the helicopter flew over the moors it identified people "actually lighting fires." "Police are now attending that scene, to try to apprehend those arsonists. It absolutely astounds me." Fire break trenches are being dug to protect buildings, Winter Hill is a vital communications hub for the North West, and 17 fire engines remained on the scene overnight.