Firefighters tackled a blaze on the moors above Belmont on Saturday.

It is believed the fire started on Winter Hill late on Saturday afternoon.

Fire engines and mountain rescue vehicles were seen heading towards the blaze just after 7pm.

Lancashire Telegraph: The fire can be seen clearly from Rivington RoadThe fire can be seen clearly from Rivington Road

These pictures, taken by Belmont resident Lee Metcalfe, show the extent of the fire just before 9pm on Saturday.

A staff member from the Black Dog pub in Belmont said: "A customer came into the pub and told us something was on fire and could smell it from the car park. We've seen a couple of fire engines go up there but obviously can't speculate too much at this time.

"After last year it's a bit worrying but at a guess I would say the land is too wet for it to spread very far."

Detective Inspector Andy Gore from Lancashire Police said fire crews had received 32 calls about a grass fire just off Rivington Road close to one of the reservoirs.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Firefighters from Darwen and Rawtenstall were among those sent to the incident, which was reported to approximately three hectares in size.  

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Lee Metcalfe from Belmont said: "There's a path leading up from the San Marino restaurant that goes all the way to the top of the TV mast.

"It looks like the fire is on either side of the path.

"Last year when the fire started it stayed on one side of the path, but this time it looks like it's gone over to the side where the village is.

"Apparently it started earlier this evening and I've seen quite a few United Utilities work vans going up there as well as fire engines so hopefully they'll have it under control soon."

Firefighters used blowers, beaters and specialist wildfire equipment and the managed to extinguish the fire by 9.20pm on Saturday.

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Lancashire Telegraph: Firefighters are currently tackling the blaze which is about three hectares in sizeFirefighters are currently tackling the blaze which is about three hectares in size

In June last year, firefighters from 19 fire services across the country helped to tackle a ferocious blaze on Winter Hill.

The fire raged for 41 days and at the height of the incident there were over 30 fire engines and 150 firefighters battling to put out the fire across 18 square kilometres of moorland.