UK firefighters suspended for tumble dryer stunt

[wmurpht 1]

LONDON (Reuters) - Four British firefighters were suspended by their force Wednesday over a stunt which saw one of the men spun around in a tumble dryer at their fire station.

The prank, which was filmed on a mobile phone and later broadcast on the Internet, shows one of the officers at Blackley fire station in Manchester climbing into the dryer and padding it with clothes.

The machine is then turned on and he spins around inside a few times while his laughing colleagues look on.

The firefighter then emerges looking dizzy.

"Due to the serious nature of the incident, the decision has been taken to suspend them until the outcome of a disciplinary hearing," said Greater Manchester's Deputy County Fire Officer Tony Proctor.

Media reports said the officer shown in the footage had apologized for his behavior and would be complying fully with the internal investigation.

Footage of the incident can be viewed at: