A hoax caller rang 999 and told the operator a Tesco store was on fire and there were screaming people trapped inside. Fire crews raced to the shop in Northwich, Cheshire, only to find no such blaze.
Senior medics had also been alerted. When firefighters arrived they found the shop, on the corner of Chester Road and Pleasant Street, was open as normal, Cheshire Live reported.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said the hoax call diverted precious resources from potentially life threatening incidents. People caught making hoax 999 calls can be prosecuted and brought before a judge.
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A spokesperson for the fire service said: "The caller reported flames coming from the front of the store and that screams could be heard from people inside. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service quickly dispatched two fire engines from Northwich and two from Winsford.
"North West Ambulance Service was informed and the Service's Medical Director, a senior incident commander and a fire investigation officer were mobilised. The Service's communications team was put on standby for a potentially serious incident.
"Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service takes hoax calls extremely seriously. They divert life-saving resources from incidents where people might need our help.
"In this case, significant number of vehicles and people were mobilised. Anyone with information about this incident can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or Cheshire Police on 101.
"Anyone caught making a hoax call could face criminal charges and even a prison sentence. If such calls are made from a mobile phone, that phone number can be permanently disconnected from the network."
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