As a fire broke out in Donnybrook, Western Australia, a mystery caller allegedly Googled ‘Donnybrook Fire Department’ for a direct line with the service.
The caller, who hung up before their details could be recorded, had accidentally called Donnybrook emergency services in Dublin, Ireland, after the Google results directed them there.
Dublin Fire Brigade received a call on Thursday 29 June reporting a fire at a property in Donnybrook. With a bit of research, they determined the call was for a fire located in Donnybrook, Western Australia.
Thankfully, the DFES Communications Centre (ComCen) had received a separate phone call 30 minutes prior to being contacted by their Irish counterparts from a resident advising that the fire was under control.
Volunteer firefighters from Upper Capel Bushfire Brigade were deployed and the fire was extinguished.
Although it is unconfirmed how it happened, the screenshots above depict the Google.com (US engine) search results that bring up the contact number for the ‘Donnybrook Fire Station’. This however is in Dublin, Ireland.
Acting Superintendent State Coordination Peter Sutton said the mix up is a timely reminder of the importance of calling triple zero in an emergency.
“The Triple Zero service is the quickest way to get the right emergency service to help you,” he said.
“It should be used to contact Police, Fire or Ambulance services in life threatening or emergency situations.”
