Firemen investigated over 'hoax' 999 calls

Fire union officials are supporting the officers

Three south Wales firefighters have been suspended after being accused of making hoax 999 calls to boost their wages.

The part-time officers are alleged to have made a string of emergency calls to their own brigade to report mountain grass fires.

The men have been suspended over allegations that they made false calls with the implication that the motive was monetary gain

Fire Brigades Union official Mike Smith

Police are investigating claims against three men at Porth fire station in the Rhondda.

The inquiry was launched after checks were made on the 999 calls which were recorded on tape.

The suspended men, in their 20s and 30s, are being supported by the Fire Brigades Union.

The union's Wales executive member Mike Smith said: "This is a very serious matter.

'Genuine calls'

"The men have been suspended over allegations that they made false calls with the implication that the motive was monetary gain.

"But as far as we understand all the calls made were genuine and there were fires involved in each one."

The 13 firemen at the station - all of the them part-timers - are paid a retained salary of £2,000 a year.

"In addition they are paid £12 for each call-out and £5 for each hour afterwards fighting blazes.

South Wales assistant chief fire officer Andy Marle said: "The matter is now in the hands of the police and we cannot comment."

A police spokesman said: "An inquiry is going on involving three firemen. We cannot say any more until the investigation is completed."