Criticism has been levied at a hoax caller who reported a house fire in Constantine and who now faces prosecution.
Fire crews from Falmouth responded to a call from a woman just after noon today who gave partial details of an address before abandoning the call and it was determined the report was false.
A spokesman from Cornwall Fire and Rescue said: "Imagine the devastating effects of a fire in a home and the hard work that brave firefighters do to save life and property.
"Now imagine someone who dials 999 and says that there is a house on fire when they know that there isn't.
"Those same brave firefighters now have to investigate, taking them away from people who may genuinely need their help."
Making false 999 calls is a criminal offence and Devon and Cornwall Police have been informed.
They have requested a copy of the recording of the call, in the hope that this will secure a conviction when the culprit is found and prosecuted.
And the fire brigade said anyone who knows of hoax calls being made to the emergency services, should report it to the police immediately.
