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National
Hannah Graham

Firefighters still tackling Simonside fire as blaze rages on into third day

Firefighters have fought back a huge hillside fire which has now been burning for three days.

A blaze tore through the Simonside Hills, in Northumberland on Monday, and after flaring up overnight has finally been tamed.

Crews were called to the hills on Monday around 3.20pm to reports that a large amount of heather had caught fire with the flames rapidly spreading, threatening to reach areas of dense forest.

A dramatic image of the late-night fire (Neil Miguel)

Plumes of black smoke could be seen for miles with the fire understood to have covered as much as 100 hectares of land near Joe's Wood.

On Tuesday, smoke was still visible in the area as firefighters said they were tackling "hotspots" on the hills.

Dramatic pictures captured by locals show how flames flared up again overnight on Tuesday from around 9.30pm. On Wednesday around 20 fire fighters and three pumps were seen on the hills fighting back the flames and smoke, which they now say should now not be able to spread further.

A spokesperson for Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service said: "We are dampening down the Simonside fire and keeping an eye on hotspots but we have put in some wet lines to stop the spread and any more flare ups.

By Wednesday 'wet lines' had been put in place to stop the fire spreading further (Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service)

"An investigation is under way and we ask members of the public to stay away from the area."

Rothbury County Councillor Steven Bridgett thanked fire crews for their hard work under difficult and dangerous circumstances to prevent flames from reaching nearby forest. At one point as many as eight crews were working on fighting back the fire.

Coun Bridgett said: "They are doing an absolutely amazing job in difficult circumstances. We've had donations of lunch and a few other items from locals and from the Co-Op in Rothbury which I'll be bringing up to those still up there today to say thank you.

"Thank you to the fire service for everything they're doing and obviously I hope they stay safe."

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