Firefighters attacked with stones in Edinburgh on Bonfire Night

A FIRE crew in Edinburgh was attacked with stones as they responded to a rubbish fire as violence against firefighters across Scotland marred Bonfire Night.
Firefighters were attacked in Sighthill. Picture: FileFirefighters were attacked in Sighthill. Picture: File
Firefighters were attacked in Sighthill. Picture: File

One firefighter was hit in the incident in Bingham at around 6.15pm last night.

Initial figures indicate Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews and operations control staff on duty had a busy Guy Fawkes night.

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Between 4pm and midnight firefighters across the country had responded to 970 incidents, including 326 bonfires and Operations controls had dealt with hundreds of calls.

SFRS Assistant Chief Officer (ACO) Lewis Ramsay, said: “Attacks on emergency responders are completely unacceptable and I am sure the public would be outraged by incidents where their firefighters have been targeted while working to protect people and property.

“Those responsible should know that the authorities take these criminal actions extremely seriously and we will work closely with police to ensure they are identified and held to account.

“We will continue our efforts to bring about a reduction in these dangerous actions by a small number of individuals. As an organisation we have a duty of care towards our employees and we are committed to protecting our frontline staff who work in challenging circumstances to make communities safer.”

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At 7.26pm the Ardrossan crew came under attack by youths in New England Road. A stone caused slight damage to the appliance. At 7.39pm firefighters in Wellington Street, Greenock were forced to withdraw from the area after missiles were thrown at the crew.

Firefighters were responding to reports of a bonfire in Fore Street, Glasgow at 7.48pm when youths attacked the appliance with various missiles. Then at 7.51pm a large group of youths threw fireworks at the crew as they responded to a call in the Balgrayhill area of Glasgow.

And at 9.11pm firefighters attending a bonfire in Durban Avenue, Clydebank had fireworks thrown at the appliance. Thankfully no one was injured.

In the east crews were called to a bonfire in Stenhousemuir at 5.44pm and had rockets aimed at the appliance.