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Saddleworth Moor arsonist.

(47 Posts)
Sarnia Tue 14-Jul-26 13:50:32

A 20 year old woman has been charged with arson on Saddleworth Moor. What is wrong with these people? The madness of such an idea in the first place coupled with total disregard for the firefighters who put their lives at risk, the wildlife and their habitats which are destroyed and the farmers losing grazing land for their livestock.
She is in court this afternoon, I believe. I hope the law allows a long sentence for such stupidity.

M0nica Wed 15-Jul-26 13:03:01

From what I heard this was not deliberate fire setting,but setting off of fireworks or something similar. The sort of thing some youngsters do without thinking things through

Iam64 Wed 15-Jul-26 15:03:53

Yes fireworks in commemoration of a friend. She could still be charged with risk to life but could be criminal damage, a serious offence

Washerwoman Wed 15-Jul-26 20:44:59

Zero sympathy for this monumentally selfish woman and her friends. I live nearby and they have caused untold devastation. They filmed themselves driving recklessly whilst inhaling nitrous oxide and laughing whilst they set off fireworks and the moors caught fire.I'm beyond angry and upset at the loss of our beautiful countryside,wildlife not to mention the smoke and damage to people's health.Next thing you know some idiots will be organising a balloon release as well as it all started because a friend died in the resevoir despite repeated signs and warnings not to enter.I hope she gets a serious conviction. It is arson a d nothing less.

AuntieE Thu 16-Jul-26 13:55:18

eazybee

Two rather entitled boys set fire to a woven wicker structure, made by their fellow pupils at their school, and were identified by their friends.
When asked why one said, "Well I lit a match and held it against the straw to see what would happen".
Difficult to guard against such stupidity.

Are you sure this answer was caused by stupidity?

One retired school-mistress here, feeling it sound more like cheekiness!

knspol Thu 16-Jul-26 14:55:48

eazybee

Two rather entitled boys set fire to a woven wicker structure, made by their fellow pupils at their school, and were identified by their friends.
When asked why one said, "Well I lit a match and held it against the straw to see what would happen".
Difficult to guard against such stupidity.

So true!

Shel1951 Thu 16-Jul-26 15:17:56

Disposable BBQ discarded with glowing embers they believe,,,distroyed woodland and wild life, they are looking to ban them in public places ,what do you think?
Killarney national Park

Fallingstar Thu 16-Jul-26 15:47:19

In a park near us in London one of those disposable barbacue sets started a fire that thankfully was easily put out by the fire brigade but with winds now fanning any flames I do think that these sets should be banned for the time being.

Iam64 Thu 16-Jul-26 16:02:14

The big question is why so many people either fail to understand risk, or don’t care

labazs Thu 16-Jul-26 16:31:02

Sometimes it takes years for the greenery to recover if at all. That is not saying how much wildlife is affected with their homes destroyed. They suffer enough with the destruction of their homes with buildings etc.
Added to that not least is the poor firemen who have to put their lives at risk battling the blaze

Shel1951 Thu 16-Jul-26 17:23:41

share.google/I2ijA1jksog3LaBIi

Same as last year ,human activity

Shel1951 Thu 16-Jul-26 17:30:04

Sorry didn't meant put whole news on and can't delete

Fallingstar Thu 16-Jul-26 17:43:26

Iam64

The big question is why so many people either fail to understand risk, or don’t care

I think there is a sense of entitlement when it comes to some people visiting areas of natural beauty, they leave their litter which can injure or even kill wildlife and will set off fireworks or not use bbqs safely. Not sure when this began but it is certainly a problem that will get worse now schools are breaking up and families are descending on our beauty spots in their thousands. I recall going to the Lake District once and seeing tourists standing in the front garden of a quaint little cottage staring through the window and taking photos. Was unbelievable.

Shel1951 Thu 16-Jul-26 17:46:02

Update the crews are still there 3 days now due to smouldering remnants that could erupt again, there is a call to shopkeepers not to sell disposable BBQs

Shinamae Thu 16-Jul-26 17:56:22

As they are causing so much devastation, I think these disposable barbecues should be outlawed…

Flakesdayout Thu 16-Jul-26 21:08:48

Fireworks should be banned, as should disposable bbq's and no barbeques at all in drought conditions. Bonfires too. Those lanterns are another thing that should be banned also. I remember as a child I was playing with matches and set fire to our family garden, as my friends and I had built a den out of hedge clippings. Luckily my Dad put it out but it got out of hand so easily and quickly. I think of all those poor people, farmers, animals and of course our environment. As for the young lady concerned - she does need to be made an example of

Greyduster Thu 16-Jul-26 21:20:06

I think there is a sense of entitlement when it comes to some people visiting areas of natural beauty, they leave their litter which can injure or even kill wildlife and will set off fireworks or not use bbqs safely.

It’s because they don’t see the countryside and our wild places as an asset to be treasured and nurtured. They see it as something that doesn’t fulfil their ideal, so it simply doesn’t matter to them. “Nothing material here to worry about, folks. Do what you like.” Appalling. Not the way I was brought up, o my children. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

M0nica Fri 17-Jul-26 08:56:05

The country side has always been covered in litter left by visitors. It is just that nowadays so much more picnic stuff is shop bought and in packaging that picnics and the like generate more litter and because somany people have cars they can leave that litter in more and more remot spots

I have recently been reading a Lord Peter Wimsey novel written in the early 1930s and one of the bodies is left in a litter strewn beauty spot in Epping Forest.

Washerwoman Fri 17-Jul-26 13:08:38

Can't believe I have just read this correctly. Cumbria Council have voted against a ban on sky lanterns and balloon releases. Really?!I wonder what the fire and emergency services think or that.Not to mention the farmers.

M0nica Fri 17-Jul-26 20:43:40

Steam locomotives have been banned because of the danger of sparks setting fires.

This will be a real problem for all those heritage railways who need the money their train services raise to keep going. Most have diesel shunters and some diesel engines, but I hope the government will have some kind of compensation scheme.

Wyllow3 Fri 17-Jul-26 22:35:28

It appears to be a ban for a week issued by Network Rail.
It would be a terrible loss all round.. may end up being in hot weather only, but all the heritage lines...😢

Fairislecable Sat 18-Jul-26 06:52:06

In the notorious summer of 76 we took a trip on the Bluebell line steam train.

They provided us with large ‘paddles’ and the train had to stop now and again and people had to jump off and thwack the smouldering corn and grasses along the line!

It was a salutary reminder that the good old days had some drawbacks.