Officials at the Fire Officers Association today said the suspension of control staff from Shropshire Fire headquarters was affecting a “large number” of people as all workers are expected to be interviewed as part of the investigation.

The staff, based at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service’s headquarters in St Michael’s Street, Shrewsbury, were suspended last week as part of an internal disciplinary investigation.

But fire service chiefs are refusing to say why they have been suspended or how many people are involved.

Alan Tranter, executive board member for the West Midlands region of the Fire Officers Association, said today he hoped the matter would be sorted out as soon as possible.

He said: “It is affecting quite a large number of people. It is my understanding that the majority, if not all, of the fire control staff will be involved as a consequence of this investigation.

“We are very concerned that people have been suspended and we would want this matter sorted out quickly and people returned to work as soon as possible not only for the well-being of the staff but for the good of the service and the people of Shropshire.

“At the end of the investigation the authority does not have to discuss any information. The staff have had primary interviews and we are aware of certain facts but, so as not to compromise the investigation, it would be wrong to comment at this stage.”

It is understood up to five people have been suspended.