A large wildfire spread across Ilkley Moor in West Yorkshire as temperatures soared on the UK’s hottest day of the year.

Firefighters from across the county tackled the blaze covering around 50 acres in the White Wells area on Saturday afternoon.

Officers used beaters, leaf blowers, backpacks and portable water pumps to try and extinguish the flames.

Initially four engines were sent to the scene shortly after midday. This later increased to 14 crews as the fire service attempted to stop the fire spreading.

Footage posted on Twitter showed a line of flame stretching across the moor and a large cloud of smoke rising into the air.

Fire sweeps Ilkley Moor for second time in a month: in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Fire sweeps Ilkley Moor for second time in a month: in pictures Fire sweeps Ilkley Moor for second time in a month: in pictures Smoke billows from the fire on Ilkley Moor on 18 May PA Fire sweeps Ilkley Moor for second time in a month: in pictures Fire rages on Ilkley Moor on April 21 SWNS Fire sweeps Ilkley Moor for second time in a month: in pictures Firefighters tackle the fire on Ilkley Moor on April 21 PA Fire sweeps Ilkley Moor for second time in a month: in pictures Firefighters use a helicopter to drop water on the fire on Ilkley Moor on April 21 PA Fire sweeps Ilkley Moor for second time in a month: in pictures Smoke rises from the fire on Ilkley Moor on April 21 SWNS Fire sweeps Ilkley Moor for second time in a month: in pictures Firefighters tackle the blaze on Ilkley Moor on April 21 PA Fire sweeps Ilkley Moor for second time in a month: in pictures Firefighters tackle the blaze on Ilkley Moor on April 21 SWNS Fire sweeps Ilkley Moor for second time in a month: in pictures Firefighters use a helicopter to drop water on the fire on Ilkley Moor on April 21 PA Fire sweeps Ilkley Moor for second time in a month: in pictures Fire rages on Ilkley Moor on April 21 SWNS Fire sweeps Ilkley Moor for second time in a month: in pictures Smoke rises from the fire on Ilkley Moor on April 21 SWNS

“The intense heat, steep slopes and rough terrain are causing the fire to spread rapidly whilst we try to get near the flames.” said Martyn Hughes, a watch manager at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The fire was still burning after 8pm. “Despite frantic efforts by all involved it looks like the moor will continue to burn long in to the sunset,” said Mr Hughes.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service had warned the public on Friday about the risk of four on moorland.

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