Arnold fire crew attacked by gang of teenagers while tackling bin fire in Top Valley

A fire crew from Arnold called to put out a wheelie bin fire in Top Valley were attacked by a group of teenagers.

A fire engine and crew were attacked by a group of young teenagers in Lytham Gardens on Saturday night (26).

A group of approximately seven, which included two girls, became abusive towards firefighters and threw wood at them.

This happened just after 7pm, after the crew from Arnold had been called to put out a fire in a wheelie bin in the road – a fire which is believed to have been started deliberately to bring emergency services 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.

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.”

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.

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“We would ask anyone with information to get in touch with Nottinghamshire Police as soon as possible.”If you have information about this incident, please contact quoting incident 617 of 26 March.