Man says firefighter threw his phone over a hedge during filming …

A firefighter allegedly threw a member of the public's phone over a hedge as he tried to record a video of a wild fire. Jimmy Evans, 44, said he was on a public footpath when he started to film a blaze on an area of scrubland in King's Lynn, Norfolk^[1], earlier this month.

He was then approached by a firefighter, who he claims ordered him to leave the area and stop recording. An argument ensued about his right to be on the footpath.

Mr Evans claims the firefighter grabbed his phone from him before throwing it over a hedge and walking away. Mr Evans said he was not able to find the phone in the undergrowth, but Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service had since bought him a replacement.

He said: "I wasn't there to provoke them. I'm a big supporter of the fire service^[2] because they save lives. But this was just ridiculous."

The fire service has declined to issue an apology to Mr Evans, but officials say they have been in contact with him to offer him "support".

A Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "An internal investigation is under way looking into all the circumstances surrounding the incident and we will not comment further until the investigation has concluded. We strive for the highest standards of professionalism at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service and always take any allegations made against our staff seriously."

References

1. ^{^} Norfolk (www.norfolklive.co.uk)
2. ^{^} fire service (www.nottinghampost.com)