"It came to a halt at the crossing as he stood there waiting, then he went back to the pavement and did it again.
"He just carried on until five or six firefighters got out to speak to him, they surrounded him. “I bet they couldn't believe their eyes when he went out again, it could have been someone burning to death."
A spokesman for the council said the man would be suspended while an investigation into the incident was carried out.
He said: "It is vital that emergency services are able to reach their destinations quickly and freely, and we have begun an immediate investigation in line with council procedures.
"A member of staff has been stood down while we carry out this investigation.
"We are working closely with Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and have requested CCTV footage from the appliance to ascertain exactly what happened."
The fire engine was travelling to extinguish a tree caught on fire at a bonfire.
