Firefighters targeted by yobs throwing sticks and stones in Edinburgh's outskirts as they tackle bonfire in Danderhall field

The missiles were thrown at a fire and rescue crew in Danderhall Crescent, Danderhall, on Wednesday evening as they responded to reports of a fire where a group of youths had apparently been congregating.

Chief Inspector Arron Clinkscales, local area commander, condemned the attack on the fire crew and said officers are carrying out inquiries to identify those involved.

Chair of the Police and Fire and Rescue Board, Midlothian councillor Stephen Curran, said no one was injured and no equipment or vehicles were damaged as police intervened quickly.

He said: “I’m absolutely appalled our already stretched emergency services are coming under attack when they are out potentially saving lives.

“This is totally unacceptable and the council, police and fire and rescue service will be working together tonight to make sure incidents like this are dealt with quickly and robustly.

“Anyone caught hampering the work of our emergency services will be dealt with by the Police. If you see someone doing so then please call 101 as quickly as possible.”

Stephen Gourlay, who is the local senior officer for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We know it's a very small minority of people who engage in this type of unacceptable anti-social behaviour, but there's no question it can impact on our firefighters and operations control colleagues as well as our partners.

"A deliberate fire can also put property, resources and indeed lives at risk so it goes without saying that we will always take a zero-tolerance approach to fire-setting and attacks on our crews.”

Fire crews have faced a busy night across Edinburgh, despite the coronavirus restrictions.

Crews were called to Arthur’s Seat late on Thursday night after pictures showed a fire in the area.

Emergency services earlier attended an Edinburgh park after receiving reports of youths throwing fireworks.

Police Scotland confirmed that they were called to West Pilton park around 7.20pm on Thursday evening, along with the fire brigade.

Community Tenant’s Group TRIM and Friends of West Pilton posted a picture of the incident, saying that the rubbish that had caught fire had been dumped by a van.

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