Firefighters have called for vigilance in the face of a spate of fires along river banks in Carlisle.

They have urged people, particularly walkers, to look out for arsonists sparking grass fires – or suspicious potential troublemakers.

The concerns have focussed on Yewdale, in the west of the city, as well as local rivers.

Over the last month, several fires have been started along the banks of the rivers Eden, Caldew and Petteril – and at a derelict farm off Orton Road.

Three fire engines from Carlisle were called out to the latter fire, which spread from a caravan to a two-storey outbuilding.

Firefighters were on scene for about four-and-a-half hours and the caravan was destroyed.

The calls come after a drive to tackle similar incidents in Raffles was carried out, involving different public agencies.

Rather than prosecute the young arsonists involved, firefighters and police community support officers teamed up to educate them on the dangers of arson.

Firefighters explained the dangers arsonists pose, both to themselves and members of the public, while the community support officers gave a talk on the consequences of committing arson and criminal damage, explaining how a conviction could affect their future aspirations due to having a criminal record.

A spokesman for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said the intervention was very successful.

He added: “This has stopped the small fires being lit in that area, which has freed up both police and fire service resources and reduced the inconvenience caused to residents as well as reducing damage to property and the environment.”

At the time of the trouble in Raffles, Paul Dean, watch manager of Carlisle West Fire Station, spoke about how the preventable incidents put strain on the service.

He said: “There are two regular crews in Carlisle and if they’re tied up with a small rubbish fire the next vehicle is at either Brampton, Longtown or Wigton. It’s five minutes to turn into the station then travel time, which could be 20 minutes, which is a delay we really don’t need.

“We will always go to a fire because that is our purpose, but just a little deliberate one is detracting us from protecting the public.

“It’s wasting police resources as well, because they turn out to assist us.”