Attacks on firefighters condemned as fire service faced busy bonfire night

Firefighters in Greater Manchester

Hundreds of 999 emergency calls were made as Greater Manchester experienced a busy bonfire night, which included a number of attacks on firefighters across the area.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said a total of 367 calls were made to North West Fire Control between 4pm and 10.30pm, with crew mobilising to 222 incidents in total.

More than 50 fire engines with either four or five firefighters on board each were on duty but many of them faced hostilities and attacks during the evening, with the most serious incidents including fireworks and bricks being thrown at crew.

At the height of the evening, GMFRS revealed that so many calls were received that half the service’s total resources were deployed.

Serious incidents of note included a fire at Littleborough Cricket Club which broke out at 6.40pm and a house fire in Bolton which began when smoking materials set a roof on fire.

There were several vehicle fires and road traffic collisions although no one was seriously hurt.

Fireworks were pushed through letterboxes and thrown at crew, including in Bolton where the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham was riding out with crew and witnessed hostilities at first hand.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “The hostilities I witnessed against our firefighters last night are fundamentally unacceptable. These are men and women who are putting their own safety on the line to keep us and our communities safe. I call on the police to do everything they can to find those responsible and call on anyone who knows who these mindless individuals are to do the right thing and hand them in.”

Other attacks on firefighters happened at 6.10pm in Sandal Street, Newton Heath, when fireworks were thrown at crew.

In the run up to 5 November, traditionally the busiest night of the year, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service raised the issue of firefighter attacks and urged people to enjoy Bonfire Night in a safe and respectful way.

Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Beverley Hughes condemned those who attacked firefighters working to keep people safe.

“Our firefighters did a tremendous job in difficult and demanding circumstances. It is completely unbelievable and unacceptable that firefighters should come under attack when trying to keep people safe. Our message is clear: we won’t tolerate attacks on our firefighters under any circumstances and those responsible should be ashamed. We raised this issue in advance and yet some people still found it funny to throw fireworks and missiles at our crews. It is despicable behaviour.”