AN investigation was under way last night into claims that moonlighting firefighters drove a group of partygoers to the scene of a blaze in which a pensioner died.

The firefighters, who could be dismissed, were said to have arrived only hours after the body of 87-year-old James Young was removed from his house in Douai Drive, Delves Lane, Consett, County Durham, on Friday evening.

They had been driving a fire engine converted into a "party wagon".

Witnesses said loud music was blaring from the engine, which had its lights flashing.

It had been hired for a private party from Mr Fireman Parties, a Wearside entertainments company, which said the vehicle had accidentally turned down the wrong street. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has launched an investigation after allegations the party fire engine was crewed by moonlighting firefighters from the brigade.

Chief fire officer Richard Bull said he also wanted to know whether it was a co- incidence the engine arrived at the scene of the fire.

He said: "I have started an internal disciplinary investigation to ascertain the facts surrounding this incident.

"Once that has been done, we will decide what to do next, and the resulting action could include dismissal."

He said that in the past, he has received complaints from the public, who believed the party fire engine was a working brigade vehicle.