RICHMOND, Texas -- A suburban Houston fire chief has launched an investigation after finding out from KPRC Local 2 Investigates that his firehouse is featured in some steamy pictures circulating on the Internet.

"This is not supposed to be going on at a fire department," said Walter Kelley, who lives in the Pecan Grove Fire Department's territory near Richmond, Fort Bend County. "You're out there either washing the fire trucks or doing something, but this is way out of line."

At least two photographs feature a woman posing for pictures next to a Pecan Grove fire truck. In one picture, she is seen lifting her shirt to fully expose her bare breasts. In the other, she is turned away and pulling her pants down to expose most of her buttocks, covered only by a thong.

In one pictures, the unique logo and name of the fire department can be seen on the side of a fire truck.

The caption attached to the photos on the Internet states that the pictures were taken at a "late night photo shoot" at the firehouse.

"They shouldn't be behaving like that at the fire station," said Becky Stryk, another Pecan Grove neighbor.

She said it could cause firemen to miss a call for help or take longer to respond to emergencies.

She added, "That shouldn't be going on. They're there to take care of us, not do that."

The Pecan Grove Volunteer Fire Department is staffed by volunteers as well as some paid staff. The fire chief and several other firefighters are paid through voluntary donations that are assessed to Pecan Grove homeowners' water bills.

Fire Chief Paul LeDoux, who is also employed as a Houston Fire Department captain, declined to be interviewed on camera, but he e-mailed that the photos may have been taken before he became chief in January.

His e-mail to Local 2 Investigates stated, "I and others will respond in an appropriate manner, which may include … referral of the matter to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for their investigations, referral of the matter to our attorney for consideration of our possible legal remedies against all those involved in this matter, internal investigations by the Pecan Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. (PGVFD), and or other actions the PGVFD may deem appropriate."

LeDoux said he had no knowledge of the activities in the photographs until contacted by Local 2 Investigates.

He said he would not comment on the investigation until it is completed.