Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service are reminding the public that making hoax calls is a crime after a false report of a person trapped by a chip pan fire in Truro.

Two fire engines from Truro and one from St Austell that was returning from standby duties at Truro, along with ambulance and police, were called to Malabar just before 7pm on Friday.

Upon arrival crews found no sign of a fire, and after searching the area the call was classified as being made maliciously, with all details passed to Devon & Cornwall Police who are continuing inquiries.

A fire service spokesperson said: "Making hoax calls to the emergency services is a crime and while the emergency crews were responding to this incident, they were not available to answer genuine calls for help.

"This put the people of Truro at greater risk, especially as the roads were particularly congested due to the serious road traffic collision on the A30. The two Truro fire crews had just left the scene of that incident."

If anyone has any information as to who made the call, please contact the police on 101 or speak anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.