Fire services battle moorland fires in northern England

UPPERMILL, England (Reuters) - Firefighters were battling fires on moorland in northern England on Monday, with one of the biggest blazes likely caused by the careless use of a barbecue during record-breaking hot weather over the weekend, according to the National Trust.

Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service said six engines were tackling wildfires on Saddleworth Moor on the border between Oldham and West Yorkshire on Monday evening.

Flames were billowing close to the village of Uppermill, a Reuters eyewitness said.

The fire service, however, said on Twitter that residents should not panic, adding that they were “on top of it”.

The outbreak was near a fire on Marsden Moor in West Yorkshire that started on Sunday and affected around 300 hectares of land.

The National Trust, which owns the site, said it was likely caused by a barbecue, the BBC reported.