Scots firefighters who were brutally attacked on Bonfire Night last year after they responded to a gas leak have urged people to attended organised displays this year. Crew Commander Glen Reid and his colleagues from Cumbernauld Community Fire Station were attacked in a shocking incident on November 5, 2021, when they were pelted with bricks and stones.
The crew were trying to extinguish the blaze when they were attacked and Mr Reid said they "couldn't actually believe it" after youths started to attack them. "We had to retreat back to the fire appliance where the vehicle then came under attack," he said.
"We realised that we couldn't get out of the street because it had been blocked off with wheelie bins. Police attended the scene and the youths ran away."
The firefighter, who has worked with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for about 20 years, said anti-social behaviour puts "added strain" on emergency services. "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'd urge people to always go to an organised event," he said.
Three of Mr Reid's colleagues received minor injuries during the incident in Cumbernauld. Two attended hospital and were discharged the same evening. Their fire engine also sustained surface damage.
Bonfire Night is the fire service's busiest night and in 2021 there were eight reported attacks on crews and three injuries. Firefighters across Scotland also responded to more than 370 bonfires during an eight-hour period on November 5 last year.
Between October 8 and November 5, crews also responded to 880 deliberate secondary fires including grass and bin fires.
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Alasdair Perry, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's head of prevention and protection, said: "Attacks on our firefighters are completely unacceptable and are carried out by a small minority. 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."
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's website has a list of organised events taking place across Scotland as well as safety advice for members of the public.
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