FIREFIGHTERS were delayed reaching a blaze in Brighton when a hoax caller sent crews in the wrong direction.

Fire chiefs today slammed the prankster as "dangerously irresponsible". Yesterday's drama started when the hoaxer sent Roedean firefighters on a wild goose chase just seconds before a real emergency call came in. The real fire at a house in Fletching Close, a minute's drive from Roedean, had to be tackled by crews based more than two miles away at Preston Circus. Six precious minutes were wasted during which time one man was overcome by smoke and suffered an angina attack, and more damage was caused. Neighbour Thomas Fulthorp suffered smoke inhalation when he tried to tackle the chip pan blaze in the empty house next door. He was taken to hospital by ambulance, and fire crews had to help another neighbour to safety. Jackie Fulthorp said: "My husband had to be carried from the house, and the smoke from next door came pouring into ours. "My daughter called the fire brigade, and made a second call when they seemed a long time coming. "When we heard the delay was because of hoaxers we were shocked." Furious station officer Adrian Brown, Roedean commander, said: "The Preston Circus crews were at the scene in just over seven minutes, which is a quick response, but it is still six wasted minutes. "The crews and I are very angry that hoaxers are putting lives at risk. "Not only are we not available for the real emergencies, but in getting to the hoax calls we put ourselves at risk on the journey. We have to drive at above-normal speeds." Roedean station has been targeted by hoaxers 17 times since Christmas. Station Officer Brown said: "All calls are recorded, and about five of the calls have the same voice. We have notified the police and this person will be caught."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.