DARWEN was left without any fire cover for almost 30 minutes on Friday thanks to a hoax caller.
Two engines were sent to Fishmoor Drive, Blackburn, following a call at 11.30pm that a house was on fire.
Tony Spencer, watch manager at Darwen station, said the call had been made from a phone booth in Ravenglass Close and that such actions put lives at risk.
He said: "Malicious calls like this are a criminal offence and if we catch who is doing it they can be prosecuted.
"This incident removed the cover for Darwen and when we arrived at the address there turned out to be no fire."
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