INVESTIGATIONS into allegations of theft and violence at Ilkley Fire Station are continuing after one of the part-time firefighters was sacked.

Four other firefighters have been suspended during the investigation by West Yorkshire Fire Service and the police.

Retained fireman Paul Chapman was sacked following an internal investigation into a report of fighting.

He said he was dismissed for 'a scuffle at Ilkley station in June this year,' and is intending to appeal.

Mr Chapman said that previously reported allegations of sexual misconduct by firemen were false and started as a result of 'vicious rumours' circulated in the town over the last six months.

He said: "The whole thing started as rumour and gossip and there's absolutely no truth in the allegations at all. I know all the lads at Ilkley and no-one's got an ounce of bad blood in them."

Among the four other firefighters suspended is Station Officer Paul Butler, not because he is believed to have been involved in any of the allegations of misconduct, but because he is in charge of the station.

Mr Butler, 37, of Mayfield Avenue, Ilkley, said: "There is a full investigation going on at the moment at Ilkley Fire Station and I am unable to make any further comment."

In 1995 Mr Butler was one of three firemen from Ilkley who were given commendations for exceptional bravery after they freed a dying man from his taxi when it plunged into the freezing River Wharfe near Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Mr Chapman said that the rumours of misconduct had damaged morale among the staff.

"Our morale has all gone to pot and all I can say is that this last year has been one of the worst of my life," Mr Chapman said.

All 19 retained firefighters have been interviewed as part of the fire service investigation which is expected to conclude next week.

A spokesman for West Yorshire Fire Service said: "At the moment, one firefighter has been sacked and four others suspended."

A police spokesman said that they had not received any direct complaint from a member of the public but they were investigating an allegation of theft from the fire station.

The spokesman said: "An initial complaint was made to the fire service who are conducting an inquiry, and who have now asked us to look into it. The police inquiry is in its very early stages."

Malcolm Saunders, West Yorkshire Deputy Chief Officer confirmed that the police were investigating allegations against certain personnel at Ilkley and that an inquiry was also being carried out under its disciplinary regulations.

He added: "The service takes these allegations extremely seriously but it would be wrong to comment at this stage on the details of internal proceedings because it could prejudice further hearings."

A spokesman for the West Yorkshire Fire service said that emergency fire cover for Ilkley would not be affected by the investigation and suspensions.

Scott Jones, manager of The Star pub in Leeds Road, Ilkley, said: "About 50 per cent of the lads from the fire station come in here and we were aware that there had been some trouble at the station for a while."

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