Firefighters in Scotland warn of zero-tolerance approach to abuse over bonfire season
Last year, crews were attacked with bricks and stones.
Firefighters who were attacked by an angry mob at bonfire night last year are urging people to stick to organised displays.
Cumbernauld Community Fire Station’s Blue Watch was called to an open bonfire in the North Lanarkshire town at 4:49 PM last November.
"We were pelted with bricks and stones"
Crew Commander Glen Reid said: “We had to extinguish the fire because of a gas leak in the area.
“As soon as we started to put water on the fire we were pelted with bricks and stones.
"We had to retreat back to the fire appliance where the vehicle then came under attack.
"We realised that we couldn't get out the street because it had been blocked off with wheelie bins.
“Police attended the scene, and the youths ran away."
In 2021 there were eight similar attacks on crews, which resulted in injuries for three officers.
In the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night, between 8 October and 5 November, crews around Scotland also attended more than 880 deliberate secondary fires, including bin fires and grass fires.
"Someone could've been seriously hurt"
Figures also indicate that firefighters responded to more than 370 bonfires across the country during an eight-hour period on 5 November.
Commander Reid, who has worked for the service for two decades, added: "We couldn't actually believe it to be honest with you.
“Someone could've been seriously hurt, and this kind of behaviour puts an added strain on emergency services
“As we get closer to Bonfire Night this year, we'd urge people to always go to an organised event."
Alasdair Perry, the head of the Fire Service’s prevention and protection, said: "Attacks on our firefighters are completely unacceptable and are carried out by a small minority.
"We want people to enjoy themselves at times of celebration, but we want them to do so safely and think of others, including our crews who are working hard to respond to emergencies.
"Bonfires and fireworks go hand in hand at this time of year, and we advise people to go to an organised event wherever possible and always follow the Fireworks Code."
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's website has a list of organised events taking place across Scotland as well as safety advice for members of the public.