Hoax Shrewsbury fire call could have put lives at risk
An investigation in underway to trace a young caller who made a hoax call to Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service from a public telephone kiosk.
The 999 call was made at 16.50pm on Wednesday 4 September from a young male who said his name was Ryan and was 12 years of age. He reported a property on fire in Mount Pleasant Road in Shrewsbury.
The call was made from the telephone kiosk in the same street close to the shops.
At the time of the incident two Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Shrewsbury were dealing with a large lorry fire near Nescliffe.
The hoax call resulted in Retained crews from Shrewsbury, Wellington and Baschurch being utilised together with a full time crew from Wellington.
A Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said:
“The call turned out to be a hoax call which could have put lives at risk with crews being diverted from other parts of the county.
“The hoax call has also incurred unnecessary expense to Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.
“All 999 calls are recorded and stored by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, we are working with West Mercia Police in a bid to trace the offender.”
It is an offence to make a hoax call to the fire service and a fine of £2500 and or 51 weeks imprisonment can be imposed. Anyone has any information about the incident is asked to contact West Mercia Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
