Attacks on fire service 'will cost life'

Community leaders must help stop nightly attacks on fire engines in Belfast before someone is killed, a senior officer said today.

The regular attacks - the latest of which involved an engine in the north of the city last night - were stretching the city’s Fire Service’s resources, said District Commander Geoff Bannerman.

‘‘These constant attacks have severe resource implications for the Fire Brigade,’’ he said.

‘‘First of all, the appliance in question is off the run. It also reduces fire cover in the city, and a replacement has to be brought in from Western Command, which is some 70 miles away.

‘‘I would like to appeal to the community leaders and the local politicians to talk to these young people and tell them to desist from these nightly attacks before someone is killed.’’

Last night’s incident occurred when a stone-throwing mob attacked a fire engine when it was called to a blaze in Silvio Street in the loyalist Shankill area.

One of the windows was broken and the vehicle had to be taken out of service for repairs.

The incident followed violence in the city centre on Saturday night.

Four police officers were injured during street clashes and firefighters also came under attack as they dealt with fires in Bradbury Place.

Several cars and a shop front were set alight in the disturbances.