Moonlighting firemen face the sack after driving a group of partygoers to the scene of a house blaze where an elderly man died.

The old fire engine - converted into a mobile party wagon and carrying 10 female revelers - turned up during the aftermath of a fatal blaze.

The fire engine, with lights flashing and loud music blaring, arrived on Friday night, just hours after the body of 87-year-old James Young had been removed by real firefighters.

The vehicle had been hired for a private party from party vehicle hire firm Mr Fireman Parties and driven to Douai Drive in Delves Lane, Consett, County Durham.

The firm is run by Fred Peters from his home in Broadlands, Cleadon Village, near Sunderland, and last night he admitted one of his engines had been in the area.

He also admitted he uses moonlighting firefighters from the Tyne and Wear brigade.

Richard Bull, chief fire officer for Tyne and Wear slammed the fire officers involved.

He said: "This party fire engine irritates the hell out of me. We get complaints about it all over the North-East. It is a glorified taxi and I cannot do anything about it.

"But if any of my men are driving it they certainly haven't got my permission. If I had names I would sack them."

Mr Peters confirmed last night that a Mr Fireman engine had been in the street after the fire but said it was accidental.

He said: "We picked up a party of 10 girls in the Consett area for a birthday party.

"One of the girls was directing the driver to pick up another of the party and she directed him down the cul-de-sac - which was the wrong address.

"At this time there were a couple of firefighters in the street with white helmets - but their was no fire.

"The driver promptly reversed the vehicle out of the street."

Mr Peters confirmed that he does employ full-time serving firefighters to man the engine on a part-time basis - although he would not confirm or deny if serving officers were on board on the night of the incident.

John Robson, Operations Manager for Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade, said: "Our investigators were shocked and appalled when a party fire engine turned up.

"In my view, there is little chance of it being accidental, which also raises the issue of people listening into our radio transmissions."

He added: "What happened was inappropriate, to put it mildly and the fact that it may have been crewed by firefighters from Tyne and Wear makes it even worse.

"They should know better."

He added: "What firefighters do with their free time is up to them, but not if they are using inside knowledge to take party guests to real incidents. It was in extremely bad taste."

The blaze broke out at Mr Young's home shortly after 6pm on Friday. Neighbours tried to rescue the former cafe owner but were beaten back by the intensity of the smoke and heat.

Three fire crews from Consett and Durham attended the blaze.

Mr Robson explained: "The fire had been put out and our investigators were still at the scene when this party fire engine with the Tyne and Wear livery turned up."

Ian Moore, from the Durham Fire Brigade Union, said he was "very surprised" by the incident but declined to comment further.

Mr Young's neighbour, Betty Dent, said: "It seems unbelievable that partygoers would turn up at the scene of a tragedy like that.

Mr Young, described by neighbours as "well-respected" used to run a cafe in Consett.

The Mr Fireman Party website describes the converted fire engine as "the ultimate party machine".

It can, it says, "transport up to 10 girls on a night out."

It says: "Crewed by real fire fighters, we turn up at your door with lights flashing and sirens blaring.

"When you're on board, you can party to your destination while we fill you with magnums of complimentary Bubbly. With its loud music and flashing lights, its just the thing to get you in the party mood."

The company also offers the fire engine for children's birthday parties. The advert promises it will arrive at the birthday house with "flashing lights and sirens blaring" and the children can "get dressed up as fire fighters in our specially designed children size fire kit for added authenticity."