Officials are investigating after a uniformed firefighter was apparently filmed being spun in a tumble dryer.

Greater Manchester Fire Service believes the prank took place at one of its fire stations.

Chief Fire Officer Barry Dixon said the fire brigade was investigating the "reckless act".

The video shows a uniformed man climbing into the industrial drying machine and packing clothes around to cushion himself.

He is heard to tell colleagues, "As soon as I say, let me out".

As the machine is switched on people start laughing.

Mr Dixon said: "A full investigation has begun and initial information would suggest that it is one of our personnel."

A fire service spokesman added: "It is blatantly obvious that getting into a tumble dryer, especially of industrial design, is not only foolish, but dangerous in the extreme."

The Fire Brigades Union said it would not comment until the fire service investigation had been carried out.

Bit stupid really. Absolutely ridiculous on second thoughts.

Idiots. Professionals? Maybe - but not this lot Next they'll be whinging they've got no dryer (after they break it) and going on strike till its fixed.

Just heard this on the ITV news ad saw the video. Looked quite funny, but it isn't.

A case of instant dismissal I would assume.

Perhaps its an initiation ceremony to get them used to sliding down their poles

Ah yes I read earlier in the week that poles have not been included in a new fire station for health and safety reasons.

Defending the action one of their obese senior people said "it's only a matter of seconds it wont make a difference."

He honestly doesn't know how wrong he is. Or does he know full well?

A firefighter who was involved in a prank in which he was spun in a tumble dryer has apologised for his actions.

Andy Bruce, 33, was filmed climbing into the machine at Blackley fire station in Manchester before it was switched on.

Senior fire officers described the incident as foolish and dangerous.

Mr Bruce, who lives in Radcliffe, Bury, has not been suspended but he is likely to face disciplinary charges, the fire service said.

"I am the person in the video, and I'm very sorry," Mr Bruce said.

"I'm fully complying with the internal investigation."

Mr Bruce, who has served with the brigade for four years, together with two other officers, will be questioned about the incident, which was condemned by Assistant County Fire Officer Steve Beckley as being "reckless" and "stupid".

Mr Beckley said: "When I first saw the footage I was horrified that any of our firefighters would think this was an acceptable practice.

"The majority of our firefighters are very professional and put their lives on the line every day."

Asked if those involved would be sacked, he said: "I do not wish to speculate but it is a very serious matter for us.

"There are number of issues to consider including health and safety and the reputation of the fire service.

"Because of the types of things we have to deal with in our service as firefighters those responsible would be aware of the dangers of doing this."

In the video, Mr Bruce climbs in the machine which is then switched on and he is turned over inside it several times as colleagues laugh in the background.

A full disciplinary hearing is likely to take place within two weeks.

The Fire Brigades Union is refusing to comment until the fire service investigation has been carried out.

nutter

They only deeply regret it because they were caught and nearly lost their jobs.



Four firefighters involved in a prank in which one of them was spun in a tumble dryer, have kept their jobs.

Footage was posted on the internet of Andy Bruce, 33, climbing into the machine at Blackley fire station in Manchester before it was switched on.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said that four firefighters suspended over the prank have been fined and given a written warning.

In a statement, they said that they "deeply regretted" the stunt.

Mr Bruce and colleagues Simon Leyland, Glenn Simon and Chris Wilcox were suspended in August pending the outcome of the disciplinary hearing.

They have been given final written warnings and fined 13 days pay.

The men's statement said: "We all very much deeply regret our actions and the damage and embarrassment they have caused to our fire service and would like to publicly apologise.

"We are all extremely proud and privileged to be Greater Manchester firefighters and know we are extremely lucky to have kept our posts.

"We recognise that our behaviour was totally irresponsible and we're genuinely ashamed and would stress that nobody should try to copy the stupid act that we did."

In the video, Mr Bruce, who has been a firefighter for four years, climbs in the machine which is then switched on.

He is turned over inside it several times as colleagues laugh in the background.

County Fire Officer Barry Dixon said: "This was an extremely serious disciplinary case regarding a reckless and irresponsible act.

"While it may appear amusing to some people it must not be forgotten that the fire and rescue service, due to its life-saving role, works in an environment in which health and safety has to be a priority.

"The public need to be confident that our approach is such that they are never at risk."

Heres the video

I can think of a song or two such as, 'Dizzy, my head is spinning, like a whirl pool it never ends, I'm, so dizzy' In all fairness if they're taking their poles away then they've got to amuse themselves some other way!!!!