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November 07, 2012

Firefighters attacked with burning timbers, fireworks

Fire chief says he hopes the acts are 'one offs' and not a sign that violence is on the rise

By Ann-marie Parry
The Aberdeen Press and Journal

ABERDEEN, Scotland — Burning timber was thrown at firefighters and rockets were pointed at them on one of their busiest nights of the year.

The five incidents throughout Aberdeen city on Monday night have "disappointed" fire chiefs who were able to report a reduction in the overall numbers of bin and bonfires from last year.

More than 170 emergency calls were received by the service's control room throughout the day and night on Monday with fire engines being mobilised 135 times.

Grampian Fire and Rescue service's risk reduction manager Mike Cordiner said: "The aggression shown towards crews last night was from a very small minority and I hope this is a one-off occurrence.

"The behaviour is out of the norm and it is disappointing to see."

A piece of burning timber was thrown at firefighters attending a blaze at Seaton shortly before 9 p.m. and in Mastrick officers had fireworks pointed at them at a skip fire.

There were a further two incidents in Northfield and one in Auchmill where firefighters encountered foul language.

Mr Cordiner added: "We expected the figures to be higher so it is a pleasant surprise that they are down on last year.

"Wheelie bin, refuse and bonfire incidents were down to 79 last year to 77 this year in the 10 days leading up to and including bonfire night.

Last week, a 45-foot bonfire at Gadie Brae, Peterhead, was burned to the ground in the early hours of Thursday — days before it was due to be lit on Monday night. A Grampian Police spokeswoman said: "We have been made aware of five incidents where Grampian Fire and Rescue units have had difficulty in terms of the behaviour of some of the persons at the scene.

"While we were on the whole pleased with the way the vast majority of people behaved last night, it is disappointing a small minority have behaved in such a irresponsible manner.

"We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the vast majority of citizens who behaved appropriately and safely, and ensured that Guy Fawkes night passed without any major incident in Aberdeen."

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