Fire crews have raced out to deal with a major grass fire near Greater Manchester as the region bakes in record-breaking temperatures. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service says six fire engines were sent out to deal with the blaze in Rixton, near to Cadishead in Salford.
Emergency services scrambled to the scene off Prospect Lane at 4.52pm today (July 18). A specialist wildfire unit was also sent to the area.
A tractor is also involved in the fire, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service says. Crews are currently making progress to get the fire under control, as firefighters work in soaring temperatures this evening.
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After driving through the area one witness said his eyes were stinging and 'you can taste the smoke in the air'. A spokesperson for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters are in attendance at a large grass fire in Warrington. Six fire engines are at the scene along with a specialist wildfire unit.
"Firefighters have brought the grass fire under control and are attempting to access a tractor which is also involved in the fire." By 8pm the number of fire engines dealing with the incident had reduced to four, plus the wildfire unit.
The incident comes as the region bakes during a period of 'extreme heat', with a weather warning still in place until Tuesday night. Greater Manchester has seen its record temperature broken today, according to the Met Office.
The Rochdale weather station recorded a high temperature of 34.3C - beating the region's previous high of 33.9C at Rochdale on July 25, 2019. At Rostherne, between Knutsford and Altrincham, the Met Office recorded an even higher temperature of 35C.
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