THREE fire engines were sent to an address in Bournemouth following a hoax call.

Now the fire service has issued a strong warning following the call out just after 4.30am on Thursday morning.

Crews from Redhill Park, Westbourne and Springbourne attended the property in Privet Road following reports of a property fire.

Once on the scene and after further investigation, it was established that there were no signs of any fires and the call was a hoax.

Tim Gray, Group Manager at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Making hoax and malicious calls is a criminal offence. Such calls tie up emergency crews so they are not available for real, potentially life-threatening incidents.

“All calls to our control room are recorded and can be instantly traced back to the caller. This doesn’t just apply to landlines; even calls from payphones and mobiles are taped and can be traced. The 141 function or equivalent does not block the number when you call 999.”

He added: “Malicious callers are not only an enormous drain on resources; their thoughtless behaviour endangers the lives and safety of the public.”

Anyone who knows of someone who makes hoax or malicious calls is encouraged to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Earlier in the evening, firefighters attended a fire in the woods at Durley Chine which was believed to have been started by children.