Emergency phone alert causes 999 chaos: Fire services beg people NOT to report neighbours having barbecues as they are inundated with calls by scared residents - while some say they got alert twice
- Posted on August 15, 2026
- By Daily Mail
- 1 Views
- 1 min read
In brief
A nationwide emergency alert system triggered widespread confusion when authorities issued wildfire prevention warnings via mobile phones, inadvertently causing a surge in non-emergency calls to fire services. Residents mistakenly reported neighbors' barbecues and outdoor activities as potential fire hazards, overwhelming emergency lines. Officials have since clarified the alert's purpose and urged the public to exercise judgment before contacting authorities. Some users reported receiving duplicate notifications, adding to the general disorientation.
Summary auto-generated by AI from the original publisher's content. Editorial standards.
Emergency phone alert causes 999 chaos: Fire services beg people NOT to report neighbours having barbecues as they are inundated with calls by scared residents - while some say they got alert twice
Sirens alarmed on mobile phones across the country warning people against lighting anything that could spark a wildfire, including barbecues, campfires and fireworks.
