Firefighters were attacked by a group of teenagers after responding to a fire in Top Valley. Crews were called out to a wheelie bin fire in Lytham Gardens when a group of around seven became abusive and began to throw wood at them just after 7pm on Saturday, March 26.
Responders from Arnold were on the scene of the fire which emergency services believe to have been started deliberately to bring them to the area. No firefighters were hit or injured, however a second attack is believed to have been carried out by the same group when the fire engine stopped at traffic lights on Bestwood Park Drive West. Bricks were thrown at the fire engine causing some damage.
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Matt Reavill, Group Manager for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "This is completely unacceptable and someone could have been seriously hurt. "Attending fires that we believe have been started deliberately already hampers our ability to respond to emergencies where lives could be at risk, but to then be subjected to an attack like this is just inconceivable.
"All of our fire engines are fitted with CCTV so we will be working with our police colleagues to identify those responsible."
Later in the evening at 9.30pm, firefighters attended another incident near the Express Building on Parliament Street in Nottingham city centre. Those suspected of the earlier incident were also thought to be in the area.
Sergeant Ollie Chadwick, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "This behaviour reported is absolutely unacceptable. Emergency services colleagues are simply trying to do their jobs and keep people safe, and it is unfathomable that anyone could subject them to this.
"Thankfully, no one was hurt. Officers were called following the incident in Lytham Gardens and immediately began to investigate.
"However, suspects had left the area, and we continue our enquiries which include looking for anyone who witnessed the incident and working with fire colleagues to retrieve CCTV footage.
"We would ask anyone with information to get in touch with Nottinghamshire Police as soon as possible."
