Hoax fire call drains Ballarat emergency resources at political event
A fake fire call at a One Nation event drained Ballarat firefighting resources during an active incident.
Firefighters were called to the Golden City Hotel on October 4 at 7.40pm for a reported fire at a Pauline Hanson meet-and-greet. The call came from a pay phone in Ballarat Central; there was no fire.
Crews from two Fire Rescue Victoria stations responded. At the same time, another incident was happening elsewhere in the city, tying up all available firefighting appliances.
The United Firefighters Union called the hoax "very disappointing" given serious shortages of working fire trucks across Melbourne and regional areas. Eight hoax fire calls were recorded in Ballarat's local government area in the year to June 2026.
Making a false call to emergency services carries a maximum penalty of three years prison.
- October 4 at 7.40pm
- Date and time
- Station 67 and Station 68
- FRV stations deployed
- 8 recorded offences in year to June 2026
- Hoax calls in Ballarat LGA
- 3 years prison
- Maximum penalty
Why it mattersFalse emergency calls waste resources firefighters desperately need for real emergencies. When crews are already stretched thin, a hoax call puts the whole community at risk.
AustraliaBallarat's fire service is under staffing pressure; hoax calls make the shortage worse when every truck is critical. The call reinforces urgent need for better funding.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 5 h ago
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