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Marsden Moor fire: Blaze ripping through National Trust site ‘likely to have been started by a barbeque’

An ongoing fire which is ripping through a National Trust site is likely to have been started by a barbecue, the Trust said.

Firefighters are trying to control a huge blaze, which is covering 300 hectares of moorland, on Marsden Moor, near Huddersfield.

The Trust is paying £2,000 per hour for a helicopter to help more than 50 firefighters at the scene, as emergency services try desperately to control it.

A spokeswoman said Marsden Moor is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation due to the ground nesting bird population and blanket bog habitat.

(AFP/Getty Images)
(AFP/Getty Images)

She said: "At present it is estimated that an investment of more than £200,000 in restoring this special habitat has been lost."

The blaze, which started on Sunday, follows another on Marsden Moor in February, which left more than 100 hectares damaged.

(AFP/Getty Images)
(AFP/Getty Images)

The spokeswoman said: "We're devastated to see the destruction caused. Please help us protect the moors and wildlife by calling the fire brigade immediately if you spot any signs of fire.

"We need our visitors' help to prevent the risk of fire across the countryside that we care for, particularly when we experience prolonged periods of dry weather or are in drought conditions."

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Firefighters tackle a blaze on moorland above the village of Marsden (AFP/Getty Images)