An unexpected fire siren in Cobden yesterday afternoon resulted in 14 firefighters showing up at their station in time to give some children a talking to.
Fire chief Gary Pollock said children playing outside the fire station had used a hammer to break the outside call box glass, activating the emergency siren.
Ordinarily the fire siren was not activated immediately because volunteers were advised by pager, so the activation yesterday saw 14 turn out.
One of the children involved had dropped their bike and done a runner, and the hammer used to smash the glass was dropped nearby.
Some parents alerted by the alarm showed up looking for their children, who were subsequently "educated" about the repercussions.
Meanwhile, the Cobden brigade was called out about 7pm on Saturday after a minor motor vehicle crash in Peel Street.
In Westport, the volunter brigade there was called on Saturday morning to deal with what was reported to be fallen power lines in Cobden Street, opposite Westport North School.
Fire chief Alan Kennedy said it turned out to be telephone wires brought down by strong winds. The brigade secured the wires before clearing the scene.
The Hokitika Volunteer Brigade was called to the Westland Milk Products factory at 5pm on Saturday but it was a false alarm.
- Brendon McMahon
