Firefighters are battling a significant moorland fire at Dovestone Reservoir in Saddleworth, Oldham, less than 24 hours after a teenager was pulled from the same reservoir in a tragic drowning incident during the heatwave.
Emergency services were called to the beauty spot at around 8:45 pm on Saturday, July 11, after reports of a fire. Crews from across Greater Manchester have been working through the night and into Sunday morning to bring the blaze under control. Footage shows thick black smoke sweeping across the moorlands, visible for miles.
Witnesses reported hearing loud bangs before the fire spread across a large area of grassland. Some claimed a group was seen releasing fireworks nearby just before the fire started, though these reports are unconfirmed and the cause remains under investigation.
Firefighting Efforts and Public Warnings
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) deployed five fire engines from Mossley, Stalybridge, Hyde, Bolton North, and Littleborough, supported by specialist wildfire units. A GMFRS spokesperson said: “At just before 8.45pm this evening (Saturday 11 July), fire crews were called to reports of a fire in open moorland near Dovestones Reservoir, Greenfield. Crews located a grass fire and used beaters and backpack water units to tackle the blaze. Firefighters remain at the scene working to bring the fire under control and prevent further spread.”
GMFRS advised residents to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke drifting from the scene and to avoid the area to allow emergency services to work safely. Many residents reported smelling smoke from miles away on Sunday morning.
Tragic Drowning of Karl Holland
The fire comes less than 24 hours after the body of 18-year-old Karl Holland was recovered from the same reservoir. He was pronounced dead at the scene on Friday night, July 10. Tributes have poured in for the teenager, described as a “kind-hearted, beautiful boy” with a “heart of gold.”
Emergency services have renewed warnings about the dangers of open-water swimming and cold water shock as people seek to cool off during the heatwave.
