Fire service bosses are refusing to tell their own authority members why a number of control room staff at Shropshire’s fire headquarters have been suspended.

Fire services chiefs and union officials are refusing to say why members of staff have had the action taken against them, or how many people are involved.

Control room personnel based at the headquarters in St Michael’s Street, Shrewsbury, were suspended as part of an internal disciplinary investigation on Monday.

At a Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority meeting in Shrewsbury yesterday Councillor Major Adrian Coles asked for a statement to be made by Stuart West, authority chairman.

Mr West made a short statement to members behind closed doors, but even fire authority members are still in the dark as to reasons for the suspensions.

Deputy chief fire officer Paul Raymond today said the authority had not been given that information because it involved “confidential” personnel issues.

Mr Raymond said: “We don’t comment on internal investigations, obviously there are personnel issues and they are confidential within the investigations.”

As part of an internal investigation, everyone working at the control room will be interviewed.

Officials will only confirm that more than one person had been suspended.

Chief fire officer Alan Taylor said he can not reveal the reasons for the action because it could compromise the investigation.

The Fire Brigades Union, which represents staff in the service, has also declined to comment on the numbers of staff suspended or the reasons behind it.

It is understood up to five people have so far been suspended by the brigade.