Arsonists tied rags to cats’ tails and set them alight, causing wildfires in Italy, investigators have said.

Flames tore through Pollino national park in Calabria, southern Italy, this week, destroying much of the parkland.

Along with the stray cats, investigators found candles and delayed ignition devices near the smouldering remains.

Domenico Costarella, of Calabria’s civil protection agency, said: “These animals were released into the fields, running around and spreading the fire.”

He added that fighting arson would take a “shift in mindset… These are inhumane acts. Sadly, men are their own worst enemies”.

The Italian association for the defence of animals has issued a €1,000 (£870) reward for information about who set the cats alight.