People gathering to have a barbecue started a large moorland fire this weekend, according to police.
Derbyshire Police is investigating two separate blazes in the county overnight from Friday to Saturday.
And the force says one of them, close to the Woodhead Pass, was started deliberately, reports Derbyshire Live.
The second is believed to have happened by people going out and meeting to socialise - defying coronavirus lockdown measures to stay indoors and save lives.
Derbyshire Police said: “Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service alerted us to two moorland fires last night.
“We believe one was started by people gathering to have a BBQ. We are investigating both incidents.”
Early on Saturday morning, the fire service said crews were called to the A628 Woodhead Pass in the north of the county at roughly 8pm on Friday.
When they arrived the blaze was well alight and firefighters had to use beaters and extinguishers to put out the flames.
On its website the service said: “(This is) thought to have been started maliciously (and) it's devastating to see another moorland fire burning.
“Moorland fires cause untold damage to the landscape and local wildlife.
“While crews are tied up responding to such fires, they aren't available to attend potentially life risk emergencies.
“At a time when we are all coming together to play our part in supporting our NHS and other key workers, saving lives and generally doing what we can to get through this pandemic, the thought of someone deliberately starting such a fire is despicable.
“The advice is quite simple, stay at home.”
No-one is believed to have been hurt.
Meanwhile tributes have been paid to three more nurses who died due to Covid-19.
On Saturday, Central and North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust confirmed Sara Trollope, a nurse employed by the trust, had died at Watford General Hospital after testing positive for Covid-19.
Mrs Trollope had worked at Hillingdon Hospital and has been praised for her empathy and support for older people with dementia.
Paying tribute to the mother-of-four, medical director Dr Paul Hopper said: "Sara had that unbeatable combination of kindness, selflessness and total determination to get things right for patients. She was an example to every one of us."
