Orford hoax caller slammed by fire service (From Warrington Guardian)

Orford hoax caller slammed by fire service

2:03pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in News

FIRE chiefs have slammed a hoax caller who claimed they could see a ‘whole room burning up’ on Long Lane.

Three hoax 999 calls were made from a mobile phone in the Orford area this week with two fire engines rushing to what they thought was a serious house fire.

Paul Jackson, Warrington fire station manager, said: "The person who made these calls was persistent, insisting that there was a serious fire.

“What they did was incredibly dangerous and also illegal.

“They were willing to put the community and firefighters at risk by asking them to respond to emergencies that did not exist.

“They need to understand that what they did was wrong and that we will not tolerate this sort of crime.”

The first call was made on Sunday but the caller was disconnected.

The second call came at 4.25pm on Monday with a child-like voice saying she was 19-years-old and was on the opposite side of the road to the property.

She said: “It’s like a whole roof is burning up, erm, it’s like the walls and everything are going up on fire.”

The third call, made from the same phone 10 minutes later, claimed someone had taken their phone to make the call.

The mobile phone used in these cases has now been permanently disconnected.

Inspector Andy Ross, of Warrington Central NPU, said: "Wasting the time of the emergency services is irresponsible and could cost lives. “This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated and we will do all we can – working alongside our colleagues at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service - to trace those responsible."

Anyone with any information about hoax calls should call Cheshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.