A BUM idea proved too hot to handle for three teens who had to call for help after they used a fire poker to "brand" their backsides.

Paramedics and police were called to an address on North Street , Toowoomba, about 2.30pm yesterday, where the three males had suffered burns to their bottoms.

A spokesman for the Department of Community Safety said it appeared the teens had injured themselves on Saturday night.

However, the trio waited until they had some hindsight and didn’t call an ambulance until Sunday afternoon.

It is understood paramedics, unsure of whether or not there had been an assault, called police.

When emergency crews arrived, they quickly got to the bottom of the mystery and realised it was nothing but a juvenile prank, dreamed up during a night of fun.

The males did not require hospitalisation, but were treated by paramedics at the scene.