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The Mayor of Manchester has said he is preparing to ask for the army to be deployed as firefighters continue to battle a huge fire on Saddleworth Moor which saw flames reach 20ft high and residents evacuated from their homes.
Andy Burnham said the local authorities are preparing a request for assistance and it is likely to be submitted later today.
He said: "This is a very difficult task for the fire service. They cannot always get water to the areas needed so in many areas are having to try and beat it back by hand.
"So the request is being prepared, but has not yet been submitted and we are constantly keeping things under review."
Incredible images from this morning show huge plumes of smoke billowing up into the air as the moor continues to burn.