Gentleshaw Common fire: Huge blaze 'spreading rapidly' as skyline turns terrifying orange

A huge blaze has taken hold at a wildlife spot with the night sky lit up orange as fire crews tackle the flames. The fire broke out at Gentleshaw Common near Burntwood, Staffordshire at around 8pm on Friday.

Dramatic images and videos have been posted online showing the fire raging with massive flames and smoke billowing. Staffordshire Fire Service has sent out six appliances to tackle the what says is a wild fire.

Eyewitness Shellie Shakespeare said: “Unfortunately the wind is carrying it, and it is spreading rapidly. And unfortunately due to us not having any rain up there for a bit everything is dry up there, so that wouldn’t help with the spread of the fire either.

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“There are lots of crews trying to tackle the fire trying to access it from Common Side and Chorley Road.” The fire is understood to be dry grass that has gone up in flames and there is considerable concern for the wildlife that will have been affected.

One woman posting on said: “This is heartbreaking. It's bird nesting season and this will be absolutely devastating. The common is also an area of special scientific interest for the amount of bees. I hope whoever has done this. and it wasn't warm enough for this to be natural, understands the implications of what they have done.

“Staffordshire Wildlife Trust also maintains the land and are a charity who will be hit so hard by this, they spend hours maintaining this place for us to enjoy.”

Others posted speculation that the fire had been started deliberately and about the damage caused to the wildlife. There was hope the blaze was being broought under control at about 9.30pm

A spokeswoman for Staffordshire Fire Control said: “It’s a wild fire, just grass. We have had quite a lot of calls to it. We have been there for an hour. Our first call was 8 o'clock. We have got six appliances there. But it's just grass on the common"

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