FIREFIGHTERS fought to put out a controlled blaze after it spread on Black Combe.

Crews were called out to the fire on the fell side not far from Silecroft on Sunday afternoon.

The source of the blaze was an attempted controlled fire of gorse bush, according to fire station manager Ian Westall.

“It was an area of 400-500 square metres of gorse bush that was on fire,” he said.

“It was a 20-minute walk from the roadside to the fire on the hill and it had to be extinguished using beaters which is very difficult work.

“It is frustrating that it was a controlled fire as normally we are informed of them so we are on hand to react if something goes wrong.

“This was just left to burn.”

Crews from Millom, Broughton, Bootle, and Ulverston were on the scene for two hours.