AN MP is demanding the government step in to urgently review fire control systems after a probe was concluded into why the 999 call centre ordered firemen from Cumbria to attend an emergency near Bolton.

The mistake was made by the North West Fire Control Centre in Warrington, which now handles emergency calls across the country and replaces a system of local switchboards.

The Fire Brigades Union has claimed lives are being put at risk because of “failings” at the centre, which opened in May.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said: “This project is a white elephant and I hope the secretary of state, Eric Pickles, will urgently look at this new evidence and agree to a review of the situation.”

Firefighter Ben Jones, a union representative, added: “We agree that a review must be undertaken to ascertain exactly what is wrong with this system.”

A NWFC spokesman said: “No fire engine was sent from Carlisle East to attend an incident at the Rivington Reservoir.

“The confusion seems to surround a printout message sent to Carlisle East but this was immediately recognised as a mistake.”