Fire on Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh brought under control

Firefighters have been tackling a blaze which broke out in Edinburgh on Sunday afternoon.

The flames could be seen quickly spreading across Arthur's Seat - an extinct volcano in the centre of the city - and people were told by the police to stay away from the area.

Lots of people are currently visiting Scotland's capital to see shows at the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Reports say the fire is now under control and no one has been hurt.

Smoke from the fire could be seen throughout the city

What is Arthur's Seat?

Arthur's Seat is a landmark near Edinburgh's historic Old Town.

It's a popular place for tourists and locals to climb for some lovely views of the city.

It's an ancient volcano and the main peak of the group of hills in Edinburgh, but no one can agree how it got its name.

Some people think it could've been the home of Camelot - generally thought to be a fictional location - and the home of King Arthur.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service say it's likely that the fire was started by human activity.

Group commander Neil MacLennan said that the exact cause of the blaze was not yet known but that a deliberate act could not be ruled out.

"It's very rare for any natural wildfires to start in this country.

"How that manifested we don't know at this stage but there will have been some form of human interaction."

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have been warning about the risk of wildfires this summer after lots of warm and dry weather.

This fire in Edinburgh comes just weeks after wildfires in the Highlands.

The last wildfire at Arthur's Seat was in 2019 when the blaze burned through around 880 square metres of gorse.

Why do wildfires start?

Every year countries around the world are affected by wildfires, including here in the UK.

Hot, dry weather makes the vegetation drier, increasing the risk of setting alight.

Most wildfires are started by humans. Something as simple as dropping litter could start one.

If someone drops a clear glass bottle or piece of glass, sunlight can pass through it and concentrate onto dry grass or leaves, heating them until they ignite.

Paper, cardboard, plastics, or crisp packets can easily catch fire if exposed to heat or sparks.

The Fire Service has asked the public to remember not to light fires, stoves or BBQs when it's dry and don't leave litter behind or drop cigarettes.