Children stone fire engine in North

A fire engine was rammed and then put out of action by stone-throwing children last night as the crew made their way back from dealing with a blaze in west Belfast.

As firemen were putting out a blaze near portacabins in Ross Street in the Lower Falls Road area of the city at around 8.30pm, a car containing three teenagers reversed into one of the appliances.

The same fire engine was then pelted with stones by a mob of around 20 children aged eight to 10 years as it returned from the call to its base at Springfield Road Fire Station.

A windscreen of the fire engine was smashed and another window broken, making the vehicle immediately unsuitable for dealing with calls.

Station Officer David Ball of Belfast Central Fire Station said: ‘‘Two crews were dispatched to the scene of the fire and while they were fighting the fire two cars drove slowly and menacingly past.

‘‘One car containing three teenagers deliberately reversed into the appliance and drove off. The same engine was then put out of action on the way back by children throwing stones.

‘‘Unfortunately these incidents are becoming all too common and I would urge parents and community representatives to do everything in their power to stop this sort of idiotic behaviour.

‘‘Once the windscreen is smashed, it is not safe to use appliances for other calls. What they are doing is reducing the ability of the fire service to provide cover and on a busy night like last night that is unacceptable.’’

The Northern Ireland Fire Service said last night was one of their busiest for some time with 180 calls received and crews attending around 120 incidents ranging from riots to burning rubbish.