Missiles pelted at firefighters

Firefighters came under attack yet again in west Belfast today while tackling a blaze.

Two crews were putting out an oil tanker fire on the Springfield Road in the early hours when a group of men hurled missiles at them.

One firefighter suffered an elbow injury when he was struck by a bottle.

While the officer’s injury was not series it was the latest in a growing trend of attacks on members of the Fire Service – and Ambulance crews – while on emergency call-outs in west Belfast.

Belfast Area Commander Chris Kerr said attacks on crews were becoming more frequent.

He said: “Sadly, there is this element in society who are attacking our firefighters regularly and we are working with all the statutory agencies to address that as much as possible.

“But it is a frequent occurrence and it adds another frightening dimension to the already dangerous job of a firefighter.”

In March another fireman was injured when crews were attacked with stones and bottles while putting out a fire in an abandoned car in the Divis Flats area.