Police are investigating after a person repeatedly called 999 to report a hotel fire.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) has dispatched crews to at least two reported incidents at the Great Western Hotel in Station Road, Swindon, in recent days.
The most recent call was regarding a blaze at the property in the early hours of yesterday morning (7 March). Before that, they were sent to a similar call on 4 March.
On each occasion, three fire engines are deployed as part of a pre-determined response. The mobilisation of appliances to the establishment is likely to be costing the taxpayer thousands of pounds.
At present, some of Swindon’s homeless community are housed at the hotel – which has presented a mass of issues, including drug use on-site and arson attacks.
A spokesperson for DWFRS said that they have “received multiple fire calls to a property on Station Road, Swindon over the last few days”.
Adding that “firefighters have found each incident to be a false alarm, and are believed to be malicious”.
The service said it is “working closely with partners to resolve the ongoing issue.”
Wiltshire Police confirmed that it has identified the individual involved and an investigation is underway.
