Initially set up in London in 1937, the UK's 999 call service has helped thousands of Britons receive emergency help, fast. From house fires to burglaries to serious medical situations, the 999 control room has saved lives and property beyond count.

But there is a lighter side to the life of the control room operator, as highlighted by the West Midlands Fire Service.

A number of funny misunderstandings have been recalled by the region’s fire chiefs and control room operators as a way to mark 80 years of the 999 number.

One controller remembered a caller who rang to say a fire alarm was going off.

The operator needed to know where the fire crew should be sent and requested the location.

The caller replied: "Halfway up the wall."

Another caller, who didn’t appear to grasp the emergency nature of 999 calls, complained that "During the flood seasons, my garden was flooded."

The operator replied: "Everyone's in the same boat, madam".

In the heat of the moment, some people can get rather confused. Dean, who worked for Severn Trent Water, was asked by a fire control operator to raise the water pressure for a particular fire incident. He did so.

The operator then asked Dean for his name and position, to which came the reply: "I'm Dean and I have the seat by the window".

In another incident a fire station reported that a dog was on a window ledge.

The operator asked: "Is it your patch?"

To which came the reply: "No, I don't have a dog."

In another classic call, a caller reports an alarm going off.

The operator asks: "Is there a fire?"

The caller replies: "Don't know, I can’t see for the smoke."