A FULL scale police investigation has been launched in the aftermath of a fire at a community’s iconic graveyard.

Flames tore through St Chad's graveyard on Saturday night, after a farmer spotted smoke rising from the site at the Church Road and Gellfield Lane, Uppermill.

Last month a fire which started in the 18th century cemetery was quickly extinguished but Saturday’s blaze spread across three areas before finally being doused.

The Church of England’s spiritual leader, Rev Canon Sharon Jones, team rector for Saddleworth, said: “We are sad and concerned regarding the graveyard fires at St Chad.

“The place is precious to so many and is significant in the story of the Saddleworth community. The gravestones themselves are largely undamaged. The grass will of course grow back.

“Meanwhile, police are actively investigating the suspected causes.”

Cllr Robert Knotts, chair of Saddleworth Parish Council, said: "Departed loved ones merit total respect in their final resting places.

“Anyone setting fire to such hallowed ground rejects the humanitarian principles of honour, decency and respect.”

Julian Taylor, landlord of the nearby Church Inn, who raced to the scene, said: “There was clouds of thick smoke and the fire seemed to be coming from three separate sources.

“Some of the lead on the old gravestones inscriptions had melted in the intense heat,” he said. “The fires are deeply upsetting because so many folk have family, relatives and friends buried here going back years.”

And locals took to social media to express their frustration and upset over the fires.

One woman whose father is buried at the graveyard, posted: “Consider what you are doing to communities, habitats, final resting places of loved ones.

“And think of impact on the health and welfare of families of the brave men and women fighting these fires, day after day on the longest shifts.”

Leah Macmeikan who was at the Church Inn with her husband, dad and uncles - who all helped the firefighting efforts - when the blaze broke out.

"We saw the smoke and all the boys ran across to see if it was a controlled wild fire," she said.

"Once there the fire service was called as it had been set off multiple times around the graveyard. Once the fire crews arrived they helped with the equipment and continued to get drinks for the firefighters from the Church Inn."

A GMP spokesman, urging the public to stay vigilant, said police resources had been stepped up in the area.

He added: “ There has been a great deal of speculation across social media and at this time police cannot rule out foul play.

“Starting fires is a serious offence called arson and can carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years in certain circumstances.

“The cemetery is the final resting place for many of Saddleworth families loved ones and to think that someone could have possibly started a fire in the grounds with the current tinder dry conditions is not only criminal but also reckless in the extreme.”

Anyone with any information should contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 quoting Police log: 2415 /07/07/18.