Fire crew attacked by bonfire thugs

Nov 13 2008 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

FIREFIGHTERS came under attack from a gang of thugs who hurled fireworks at them while they were attending a dangerous bonfire in Hamilton.

The yobs ambushed 10 firefighters during the attack in Clarkwell Road, Hillhouse.

Two fire appliances, one from Hamilton and the other from Coatbridge, were sent to tackle a bonfire which was reported out of control last Tuesday at about 7.30pm.

Firefighters requested an escort from police, who went to help them at the scene.

Despite being hampered, firefighters quickly had the blaze under control.

They left the scene less than 10 minutes after arriving.

Fortunately, no-one was injured during the incident.

The Clarkwell Road blaze was just one of more than 40 bonfires that crews were called to in the Hamilton, Blantyre and Larkhall areas.

Firefighters put out bonfires in Hamilton at waste ground at the rear of Neilsland Primary, Mill Road, Wellcroft Road, St Ninian’s Road, Kerr Crescent, Forrest Gate, Hill Street, Millgate Road and Dunkeld Place.

In Blantyre, crews responded to call-outs to bonfires at a public park in Springwells and Hillview Drive.

In Larkhall, as well as dealing with a fire at Robert Smillie Primary School, firefighters were also called to put out a bonfire in Strutherhill’s Scotia Crescent and near Broomelton Road in the Millheugh area of the town.

A Strathclyde Fire and Rescue spokesman condemned the Clarkwell Road incident and said it could have had far more serious consequences.

“It was very busy for the Fire Service over the bonfire period,” he said. “It was lucky no firefighters were injured by this mindless incident.

“Firefighters work to protect the lives of people and their properties. It is outrageous that firefighters going to attend a dangerous bonfire in Clarkwell Road should come under attack from groups of youths who threw fireworks at them.

“We would call on parents in the Clarkwell Road area to ask their youngsters what they were doing that night.

“Anyone who knows who was involved in carrying out the attack on the firefighters should contact police or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”