Attack on Carrick fire engine condemned

A Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) received a call at 9:06pm to a report of a fire at the Westmount Avenue area of Carrickfergus last night.

“One fire appliance from Carrickfergus Fire Station was deployed to the scene of a fire out upon arrival in the area. The fire appliance withdrew from the scene, as youths threw bricks at the appliance. There was no damage caused to the fire appliance and no injuries to firefighters.

“Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service finished at the scene at 9:27pm and the fire is being treated as deliberate.”

Commenting on the incident, PUP representative Jonathan Cooke said: “I have been contacted by numerous residents surrounding the ongoing anti-social behaviour in the town and have been working with various agencies to help resolve this problem. However, things stepped up another level last night when the NIFRS were attacked when attending yet another fire.

“This behaviour has been going on for months now and last night could have resulted in an appliance being taken out of action, leaving us with inadequate cover for the area.

“I will meet with PSNI and other agencies in an effort to resolve this persistent anti-social behaviour.”