Three firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are under investigation after reportedly giving children rides on a fire engine during a recent open day event. The rides are believed to have taken place on a public roadway, leading to concerns about safety and adherence to protocol.

The off-duty firefighters involved have been reported to their superiors, and disciplinary action is being considered. Details regarding the nature of the investigation have not been disclosed, and the fire service declined to comment specifically on the employees or the ongoing inquiry.

An anonymous source within the fire service defended the firefighters’ actions, noting that one of the children who received a ride was a young boy recovering from cancer. “It made both his day – and his parents’,” the source said. The individual also expressed frustration over the fire service’s response, describing it as “completely over the top” and arguing that the engine only traveled a short distance—a quarter of a mile down the road before looping a roundabout and returning.

“The brigade is always pushing community engagement, then they react like this,” the source added, calling the disciplinary response a “travesty” and suggesting that common sense should have prevailed in the situation.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said that, as a matter of policy, they do not comment on ongoing investigations or individual personnel matters. The service has not provided further details on the timeline or possible outcomes related to the disciplinary process.