Charge confirmed after Saddleworth blaze sends smoke over Tameside
A 20-year-old woman from Hyde has been charged in connection with the moorland fire at Dove Stone Reservoir, near Greenfield in Saddleworth, as emergency services continue efforts to contain the blaze and police pursue further lines of inquiry. The incident has sent smoke drifting across parts of Tameside, prompting heightened public concern over the weekend and into this week.
Greater Manchester Police said Shania Care-Slede, of Market Street, Hyde, has been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving. She has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 14 July. The wider investigation into the cause and circumstances of the fire remains active, with detectives reviewing a substantial volume of material submitted by the public.
Detectives warn against speculation as inquiries continue
Officers are continuing to seek the identities of any other individuals who may have been involved. Police have thanked residents across the borough and beyond for submitting videos and photographs, urging people to keep sharing any relevant evidence through the official portal while avoiding speculation that could prejudice ongoing proceedings.
“While we have secured charges against one individual, our investigation remains ongoing. Detectives are carefully reviewing all available evidence to identify anyone else who may have been involved in criminality linked to this incident. We’re committed to pursuing all those responsible. Anyone identified as having committed a criminal offence can expect to be robustly dealt with.”
Detectives reiterated their appreciation for community support and encouraged further submissions where appropriate.
How to share evidence
Members of the public who have images, video or information that could help can submit it directly to the police via the dedicated portal below. Using the official link ensures material reaches investigators securely and in a format that can be assessed and retained as evidence.
- Dovestones Fire Evidence Submission Portal: https://gmp.uk.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/dovestonesfire
Charges and court appearance
Police confirmed the following charges in relation to the incident:
- Aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered
- Dangerous driving
| Defendant | Age | Residence | Court | Hearing date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shania Care-Slede | 20 | Market Street, Hyde | Manchester Magistrates’ Court | Tuesday 14 July |
Local context: moorland fire risk and public impact
Dove Stone Reservoir sits on the edge of Saddleworth Moor, an area that is particularly vulnerable to wildfires during warm and dry spells. While this blaze is the subject of a live police investigation, it has once again underlined the speed at which fires can spread on open moorland and the knock‑on effects for neighbouring communities, including smoke drifting over residential areas of Tameside. Multiple agencies remain engaged in tackling the incident and monitoring its effects.
Residents have been closely following updates as the fire service works across challenging terrain. With criminal proceedings now under way, police have asked the public not to share unverified claims online and instead to route any potentially useful material through the official portal to assist detectives as they assess multiple lines of inquiry.
Anyone with information that could support the investigation is urged to submit it via the evidence portal above. In emergencies, always call 999; for non‑urgent reports, use 101 or the GMP website.
