HOAX CALLERS PUTTING LIVES AT RISK

HOAX callers have been slammed for putting lives at risk and wasting precious firefighter resources in Nuneaton.

In the space of less than an hour crews from the town’s station responded to two 999 calls about fires - but they both proved to be false alarms.

Such actions, warn Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, could divert firefighters from real emergencies and chiefs have called for it to stop.

“Not only do hoax calls take our resources away from where they are needed the most, but those making the calls are also putting themselves at risk,” said a fire service spokesperson.

“Even if you have caller identity restricted, the telephone number the call is made from is instantly known by the operator and all calls to the fire service control room are recorded. If you are caught, you could be jailed, fined or both! It could be the most expensive call you have ever made!

“So why take the risk – Hoax calls cost lives, time and resources and stop us from being where we are needed the most!”

The first of the two calls made on Tuesday was at 7.56pm to an alleged fire on Pool Bank Street and the second came in at 8.53pm to an alleged fire on the rail embankment.

When the crews attended, they found that they were hoax calls and there was no fire.

However, a third was made in the Stonebridge Road area of Coleshill. It involved young people setting off a smoke bomb, which caused concern and 999 calls were made to report what was thought to be a genuine fire.

Nuneaton and Bedworth does have a small fires unit that patrols the area, in a bid to both deter and be on hand to tackle the notorious issue of arson attacks.

Firefighters and police officers have also, this summer, joined forces to carry out patrols to raise awareness to the dangers of starting small fire.