Premium Numbers

On Sunday morning I was woken up by the fire alarm sounding in the BnB I was staying at. I found the alarm box and tried to call the two numbers that were displayed only to receive a recorded message (from Lebara) telling me that I was calling a premium rate number and that I needed to buy a top-up. Is this correct ? It was practically an emergency.

premium rate numbers are not included in your normal call allowance SteveB. Can you confirm if the number was a official business number on the alarm?

Martin Yes, they were. I have since thought about it and have realised that this was a pretty stupid thing for them to do. I plan to contact the B&B where I stayed and suggest that they give some advice to their alarm company on how they might improve their service.

SteveB It's not the smartest thing to have an emergency number that's chargeable, let alone a premium rate number!

Can anyone explain why I can't send messages to premium rate numbers even though I pay monthly? I've been told I need top up my credit, seriously?