Emergency planners forced into action

Military crews brought the fire under control

An emergency planning meeting of social workers in West Yorkshire was stopped when a real fire broke out.

Police asked for help in evacuating 19 elderly people from a residential home in Milnsbridge because of a blaze at a nearby petrol station.

"I think they thought it was a wind-up at first but they were soon busy making calls," said Assistant Emergency Planning Officer David Haikings.

The residents and their care-workers were taken to Paddock Village Hall, but were later allowed home.

Ironic timing

Police decided it was safe for them to return after army crews extinguished the fire on Scar Lane.

None of the social workers' short term plans had to be put into action during the emergency.

But Stephen Stead, a social services manager at the briefing, said it was only the nature of the operation that left them bemused.

"The timing of the request was ironic - bearing in mind where we were," he said.