Hogmanay attack on Castlemilk fire crew

Jan 7 2009 by Will Henshaw, Rutherglen Reformer

Hogmanay attack on local fire crew

A CASTLEMILK fire crew were welcomed into the New Year with a stoning from a group of cowardly yobs.

The team were attending an incident on Stravanan Road in Castlemilk less than an hour before the bells on New Year’s Eve where they were subjected to stone throwing from mindless neds.

Castlemilk Station Commander Stephen McGrath said: “Our appliance and crew came under attack from youths, our appliance withdrew immediately.

“These senseless acts could lead to our fire fighters being injured and being off duty for a long period of time and it could lead to fire appliances being damaged and unavailable for emergencies.

“This could lead to a custodial sentence and a criminal record under the emergency workers act. A lot of people aren’t aware it’s not just a breach of the peace they can be jailed for up to two years.”

However this was not the only incident during the festive period where fire fighters were the subject of violence from yobs.

Whilst a crew were attempting to extinguish a wheelie bin fire on Ardencraig Road youths attacked the team, causing damage to the fire appliance.

Stephen added: “The first incident happened on the 28th of December at approximately 10.pm. It happen on Ardencraig Road in Castlemilk. The crew were attending a report that a wheelie bin was on fire.

“Whilst we were extinguishing this pile of rubbish several youths started throwing objects from a distance of about 30 metres, throwing blocks of wood and wooden batons. One youth in particular carrying a wooden baton of about a metre in length approached one of our appliances and threw the baton directly at one of the personnel who side stepped the baton and it struck the appliance, resulting in damage.

“The crew then mounted the appliance and the same youth picked up a brick and from a distance of about five metres threw it directly at one of the personnel.

“The driver then followed instructions to retreat to a place of safety.

“It was a group of youths, roughly in their teenage years.

”All Strathclyde Fire and Rescue appliances are fitted with CCTV and this will help identify the culprits.

“We’re just trying to make our communities safer places to live, work and visit.”

A Spokesperson for Strathclyde Police said: “On December 28 at around 21.50 the fire service were called to a report of a rubbish fire. The fire was extinguished quickly and the fire service claimed that the youths soon disappeared and there was no requirement for police to attend.

“On December 31 at 23.30 the fire service attended the report of a fire on Stravanan Road they asked for police to attend at this time as there were youths attacking the fire tender (fire engine). The fire was extinguished and the crime report was raised due to damages done to the fire tender.”

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue will carry out a free home fire safety check to any properly and help prevent secondary fires from taking place. They will also fit smoke detection if required. To set up one of these checks please phone 0800 0731 999.