A WARNING has been sounded after firefighters tackled a two-hour wildfire at Catbells.

The blaze, which occurred on Friday afternoon, is believed to have been started by a discarded cigarette according to the crews who attended.

Eyewitness Lewis Harrison from Borrowdale, who took some photos of the nearby flames, expressed his anger that the fire could have been started by a careless individual.

The 23-year-old, who was walking near the area on his own, told the News & Star: "I was passing by when it looked like the fire had just started.

"I called 999 to check if they had been informed, which they had, and 15 minutes later it was about four times bigger.

"There hasn't been any rain for weeks, so all the bracken and gorse bushes were quick to ignite.

"I'm angered by the fact that it was probably caused by someone throwing a cigarette out of the car window."

The fire was also spotted by 58-year-old Rod Hutchinson from Ambleside.

He said: "I noticed it just after 4pm from the other side of Derwentwater, not far from the Ladore Hotel.

"It seemed to be two or three small fires below Catbells.

"After about 20 minutes, the two fire appliances had arrived and were working on it.

"I was going to call [the fire service], but had already heard the sirens."

A spokesman from Cumbria Fire and Rescue said crews were called out to Manesty area near Catbells at about 4pm.

He added: "Two appliances from Cockermouth and Keswick attended the scene for two hours.

"The fire was about 100 square metres in size, about the same area as a football pitch."

"We would warn everyone to watch what they do with disposable barbecues and the remains of cigarettes in the countryside in the summer months.

"If left in hot dry areas such as this, the consequences are huge.

"Please dispose of them responsibly."