Police have launched an investigation into an allegation that a woman was raped by part-time fire-fighters at Ilkley fire station.

Three of the retained fire fighters have been suspended as part of an internal investigation by fire chiefs.

West Yorkshire Fire Service is conducting an inquiry into the claims involving officers at the station in Little Lane, Ilkley.

And today a police spokesman said: "We are aware of the matter and have been asked to investigate."

Station Officer Paul Butler, who was commended for bravery three years ago, is one of several men to have been suspended from his duties while the investigation is being carried out.

But it is understood that Mr Butler is not one of the three fire-fighters involved in the allegations of rape and that he has been suspended because he is the officer in charge at the station.

Mr Butler, 37, of Mayfield Avenue, Ilkley, said today: "There is a full investigation going on at the moment at Ilkley fire station and I am unable to make any further comment."

In 1995, Mr Butler was one of three firemen from Ilkley who were given commendations for exceptional bravery after they freed a dying man from his taxi which had plunged into the freezing River Wharfe near Burley-in-Wharfedale.

All 19 part-time fire-fighters at Ilkley have been interviewed as part of the investigation and it is understood the inquiry is also looking into other allegations of misconduct.

Scott Jones, manager of The Star pub in Leeds Road, Ilkley, said: "About 50 per cent of the lads from the fire station come in here and we were aware that there had been some trouble at the station for a while.

"We knew there had been some disciplinary problems but it wasn't until just now that we've heard exactly what the allegations were."

Malcolm Saunders, West Yorkshire's Deputy Chief Fire Officer, today confirmed that police were investigating allegations against certain personnel at Ilkley and that an inquiry was also being carried out under its disciplinary regulations.

He added: "The service takes these allegations extremely seriously but it would be wrong to comment at this stage on the details of internal proceedings because it could prejudice future hearings."

A fire brigade spokesman said the inquiry had started within the last month and it was not known how long it would continue.

He said the level of fire cover in the Ilkley area would not be affected in the meantime.

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