DAILYEXPRESS
Emergency services evacuated residents from at least 20 homes near Saddleworth Moor, with 20 foot flames reportedly reaching 200 feet from properties.
The fire has been described as the “biggest blaze in living memory”.
Individuals living 18 miles from the site reported seeing “ash falling from the sky”, and said the ash was so thick “you can taste it”.
One local resident Ellie Shember commented on Twitter, stating: “There’s ash from Saddleworth Moor falling around me as I walked to pick up my girls in Mossley.
"The devastation up there must be unimaginable.
"There's quite a breeze - you can taste the ash."
The fire is believed to have destroyed an estimated 2,000 acres of land, and the fire shows no signs of slowing down.
Tameside Council has issued health warnings for local residents, urging them to remain indoors and avoid smoke inhalation.
The council has also set up evacuation centres for affected residents.
The smoke is so thick in parts that visibility has decreased to just 50m.
Local resident Dee Blancahrd reported that visibility was extremely poor due to the thick smoke.
He added: "I can literally hear the fire crackling. The wind is coming downhill and it's only about 200 metres away now.”
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) group manager for Tameside, Phil Nelson, said: "Crews are still tackling this difficult fire and are working hard to contain the blaze and prevent further fire spread.
"Firefighters are faced with very difficult circumstances, intense heat and are working on challenging terrain
"Our main considerations are for crew welfare. It is physically draining working at this incident and it is vital that our firefighters have regular breaks and that relief crews are available to take over.
"I would like to thank the Salvation Army for keeping our crews fed and watered during this incident.
"We are co-ordinating our efforts with our partners at the Peak District, United Utilities and Ranger Services and will continue to into the evening."
More to follow…