Police are hunting a group of yobs who attacked firefighters with bricks and bottles as they tried to put out a blaze.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has condemned the attack on its firefighters and warned that such behaviour will not be tolerated.
The warning came after firefighters who were responding to a fire in an area of woodland had bricks and bottles thrown at them by a group of youths in Harthill Road, Fauldhouse at around 6.30pm on Monday, March 21.
The crew were forced to withdraw until Police Scotland colleagues arrived. They were then able to return to the scene and extinguish the fire.
SFRS Group Commander, Steven Michie said that crews who stand on the frontline to protect people should never be obstructed from carrying out their duties.
He vowed to work with police partners to identify the small minority of those responsible to ensure they face the consequences of their actions.
Group Commander Michie said: “I would like to stress that this behaviour – by a very small minority of individuals – is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“Wherever possible we will identify those responsible and pass that information to our police partners. This can have serious consequences for those involved. It can even affect future employment prospects due to having a criminal record.
“Fortunately, there were no injuries to firefighters or damage to the fire engine in attendance at this incident. But this type of behaviour cannot be condoned, and we would urge the majority of law-abiding residents to alert the police to any such reckless activity. Young people can also provide information anonymously via the Fearless Crimestoppers website.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were called around 6.30pm on Monday, 21 March, to a report of a fire and youths throwing objects at fire fighters in the Harthill Road area of Fauldhouse. Officers attended and enquires are ongoing to trace those responsible.”
Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here
