Newcastle Labour has condemned an attack on firefighters in Blakelaw after bricks and other objects were thrown at a crew responding to an emergency.
Firefighters from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service were called to a rubbish fire in Blakelaw at around 9.40pm on Wednesday when they came under attack.
Thankfully, nobody was injured, but a fire engine suffered significant damage and had to be temporarily taken off the road for repairs.
The attack has been strongly condemned by Leader of Newcastle Labour Group Cllr Ged Bell, who served as a firefighter for over 30 years.
Cllr Bell said:
“Attacking firefighters who are simply trying to do their job and keep our communities safe is absolutely disgraceful.
“As a former firefighter myself, I know the risks crews already face every time they respond to an emergency. Nobody should have to go to work wondering whether they are going to have bricks or other objects thrown at them while trying to protect the public.
“This isn’t harmless antisocial behaviour. Damaging a fire engine can take a vital emergency vehicle off the road and potentially delay firefighters getting to someone whose life or home is in danger.
“Our firefighters do an incredible job for communities across Newcastle and Tyne and Wear. They deserve our respect and support, and I hope those responsible for this appalling attack are identified and held to account.”
Blakelaw and Cowgate Labour spokesperson Juna Sathian also condemned the attack and said the community would stand firmly behind firefighters and other emergency service workers.
Juna said:
“People in Blakelaw will be appalled that firefighters responding to an incident in our community were attacked in this way. These crews were there to protect people and keep our neighbourhood safe, and there can be absolutely no excuse for targeting them with bricks or any other objects.
“Blakelaw is a strong community where the overwhelming majority of residents have huge respect for our emergency services. The actions of a small number of individuals do not represent our area, and we stand firmly with the firefighters who were subjected to this disgraceful behaviour.
“I would urge anyone who knows who was responsible to come forward. Those responsible need to understand that their actions could have prevented that fire engine from being available when another family desperately needed help.”
Newcastle Labour is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and support the authorities in identifying those responsible.