Huge blaze breaks out on UK moors sending thick plumes of smoke billowing through sky with road 7 pub forced to shut

Scottish Sun

01-05-2025

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A HUGE blaze has broken out on UK moorland, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.
A popular local pub has been forced to shut as a result of the fire in Derbyshire, which broke out shortly before midday yesterday.
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A huge fire has broken out on moorland in Derbyshire
Credit: Derbyshire Fire and Rescue
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Smoke was seen billowing into the sky on Wednesday
Credit: Derby Mountain Rescue Team
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The Cat and Fiddle pub has been forced to close
Credit: Google Maps
Ten fire engines from the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) raced to the scene near Errwood reservoir in the Upper Goyt Valley of the Peak District at 11.42am.
A crew then remained at the scene overnight to monitor the situation.
A reinspection is believed to have taken place at 6am this morning.
Cops have urgently warned locals to stay clear of the blaze.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said: "Given the circumstances of the incident please avoid the area and be aware that other road closures may be required quickly."
The manager of the landmark pub the Cat and Fiddle told the BBC she was "nervous" about the fire spreading to the premises - as the building is full of highly flammable alcohol.
Melanie Selstrom told the BBC: "We noticed the smoke between 10:00 and 11:00, and for hours it was a safe distance away.
"But the wind keeps changing, and suddenly it goes much closer, and when you are in a building full of alcohol and gas, that made us nervous.
"The fire crews are keeping parts of the distillery wet and putting dams in the car park, and we are getting lots of updates, but it's left us feeling a bit shaky."
In a live Facebook broadcast, she added: "We've had a lot of enquiries for our safety and welfare and so far, touch wood, everyone's OK and the building is OK.
"The periphery is being taken care by Cheshire Fire Service and Derbyshire Fire service.
"We're discouraging people from visiting or coming up - there's ash and smoke in the vicinity and lots of emergency vehicles trying to do their job, so unless your journey is urgent I would avoid the area.
"There are plumes [of smoke] just behind us, but luckily I think they are getting further away. It's all hands on deck here. What a dramatic day."