A drone was used on Saturday to locate a fire in a rural area while a 70-year-old man was also seen with it lighting a fire.

According to a police announcement as part of the co-operation between the forestry department and the Cyprus Institute a drone operated by the latter on Saturday afternoon filmed the man getting out of his car and setting light to cutting in the rural area of Orounta.

When the man released the drone was filming him he put out the fire, while the operator of the drone informed the Peristerona police of the man’s location.

The man was called to the police station where he admitted to starting the fire, was charged in writing and released to appear before the court at a later date.