Footage of a fire raging in a forest in northern China after a local villager reportedly burnt paper as part of a tribute to a dead ancestor.

The video, captured in Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, shows a mountain engulfed in flames with thick smoke rising into the sky.

According to local reports, the blaze started on Monday when the villager was paying respects at a grave.

Four firefighters died tackling the flames but the fire has now been extinguished.

Dramatic video of a villager burning paper for ancestor causing forest fire in China.

The footage, captured in Jinzhong, Shanxi Province on Monday, shows the mountain engulfed in fire with thick smoke rising into the sky.

A villager burnt paper for his ancestor in front of the tomb caused the fire.

Four firefighters were swallowed in the massive flames and died.

The fire has been extinguished and the villagers was controlled by police.