Attacked firefighters issue bonfire events plea

Fires were lit in a street in Niddrie area of Edinburgh on Bonfire Night 2022

A group of firefighters who were attacked on Bonfire Night last year have urged the public to only attend organised displays.

Three crew members from Cumbernauld Fire Station, North Lanarkshire, suffered minor injuries after they were pelted with bricks and stones.

It happened as they responded to a reported gas leak near a large blaze.

It was one of eight reported attacks on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's (SFRS) busiest night of the year.

• Fire crews and police attacked on Bonfire Night

• The latest headlines from Scotland

Crew commander Glen Reid and his colleagues "couldn't actually believe it" after they were targeted.

Mr Reid recalled: "I had spoken to the people nearby and explained what we had to do.

"As soon as we started pouring water on the fire, we were pelted with bricks and stones.

"We had to retreat back to the fire appliance, and then take refuge behind the fire appliance because that was getting pelted with stones and missiles.

Glen Reid was attacked while putting out the blaze

"We realised that we couldn't get out of the street because it had been blocked off with wheelie bins.

"It wasn't until the police arrived that the youths ran away and we could make our escape."

Three of his colleagues received minor injuries during the incident in Cumbernauld, which also left their fire engine with surface damage.

Two attended hospital and were discharged the same evening.

Mr Reid said: "Someone could have 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 would urge people to always go to an organised event.

"If you go to an organised event, that means it frees up all the fire appliances to deal with other emergencies."

Fire crews are encouraging people to stay safe

Deputy assistant chief officer Alasdair Perry, the SFRS' head of prevention and protection, said such attacks were "completely unacceptable" and "carried out by a small minority".

He added: "We know that our crews have a lot of support within our communities.

"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."

New legislation

Firefighters were called to more than 370 bonfires during an eight-hour period on 5 November last year.

In the month before, they attended some 880 deliberate grass and bin fires.

The SFRS has a list of organised events online along with safety advice.

In June new restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks in Scotland were passed by MSPs.

The legislation created a licensing scheme and limits the number of days when they can be sold.

Community Safety Minister Ash Regan said the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill would reduce distress and injury.

But the Scottish Conservatives warned it would lead to stockpiling and create a "black market".