A HUGE fire with a "one mile flame front" that broke out on Marsden Moor in Kirklees is suspected to have been "started by people".

Ten fire engines were scrambled to the scene near Black Moss Reservoir and Mount Road, which started at around 7pm on Sunday.

The flames were seen from many miles away, and West Yorkshire crews received assistance from colleagues at Greater Manchester. The blaze also affected neighbouring land in Saddleworth.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said this afternoon: "Our crews are continuing to respond to the fire on Marsden Moor. We now have seven fire engines on the scene – including two from Great Manchester – plus specialist wildfire units. A helicopter has also been dispatched to help support ours and our partner’s work."

A spokesperson for Marsden Moor National Trust tweeted: "A section of Mount Road is being closed off and a helicopter has been dispatched to help tackle the pockets of fire on Marsden Moor. Please keep away and avoid the area."

Craig Best, countryside manager for the National Trust, told the BBC: "It's so frustrating to see yet another fire on our moors after all the hard work our team have put in to try and restore the landscape after last time.

"Although not on the same area of land as the 2019 fire, this fire has also destroyed a crucial area for rare birds and mammals, as well as carbon-capturing blanket bog.

"Unfortunately, this was another fire started by people and could have so easily been avoided."

West Yorkshire Police have spoken to a man suspected of causing the fire but it is thought the blaze was started accidentally so no arrests have been made.

However, the police are liaising with Kirklees Council about a possible breach of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which bans the use of fires or barbecues in the area.