Lollipop man obstructs fire engine responding to 999 call so children can cross the road

The man has been suspended pending an inquiry by Luton Council

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A lollipop man has been suspended after he reportedly stopped a fire engine as it was responding to a 999 call so children could cross the road.

The engine was on its way to a bonfire which had got out of control, when it was halted by the man outside a school in Luton.

Jacqui Brittain, 60, witnessed the incident from her bedroom window.

“[The lollipop man] started crossing children when the engine was only a few yards away, I thought 'get out of the road',” she told Luton News.

“It came to a halt at the crossing as he stood there waiting, then he went back to the pavement and did it again.

“He just carried on until five or six firefighters got out to speak to him, they surrounded him.

“I bet they couldn't believe their eyes when he went out again, it could have been someone burning to death,” she added.

Luton Council has suspended the man while an investigation into the incident is conducted.