Four controllers take more than 100 calls in 18 minutes
Just four handlers looking after Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue's 999 line handled a flurry of calls on Wednesday evening when a fire broke out at the side of the South Devon Link Road. The blaze, near the Passage House pub around half past six affected trees, grass and hedgrows.
In the space of 18 minutes, 113 people rang the emergency number to report the fire at the side of the A390 near Kingsteington. It was put out relatively quickly by crews from Newton Abbot. Some of it was beaten out.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue say just four people answered 101 calls. Just 12 went to a support team. The service says: "Please again can we urge everyone to be especially careful during this very hot period. The ground, grass, trees and hedgerows are very dry."
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