BBC Radio Manchester changed its schedule last night, to remain on air as the army was called in to tackle the major fire on Saddleworth Moor.
Ordinarily output would have switched to the national network from 7pm, however, instead it continued to broadcast.
“This is one of the biggest moor fires we’ve ever seen in England and we’ll be bringing our listeners live updates from the scene as the military is called in to help tackle the blaze,” explained Kate Squire, managing editor of BBC Radio Manchester.
It’s the second night in a row that schedules were thrown out, with Connor Phillips broadcasting until 5am the night before, taking calls from listeners.
Mike Sweeney was live from Carrbrook yesterday morning to interview residents, the Mayor and local MP.
100 soldiers from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland were sent from Catterick to the blaze last night. A Chinook helicopter from RAF Odiham will arrive later to help. They will join 60 firefighters, who’ve been working overnight to tackle the blaze, which covers around 4 miles of moorland near Stalybridge.
