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Anger as yobs launch attack on firefighters
143 Manchester Road in Preston where firefighters were attacked tackiling a blaze
Yobs pelted firefighters with rocks as they tackled a blaze at a city takeaway.
Two fire crews had just extinguished a fire in an extraction unit at Al-Quds takeaway in Manchester Road, Frenchwood, Preston, when a group of youths appeared and launched an attack.
One firefighter was struck on the side of his helmet during the incident and nine firefighters were forced to pull away from the scene until police arrived.
The incident happened at around 8.45pm on Wednesday and police have launched an appeal for witnesses.
Michael Duffell who is watch manager at Preston Station, said: “We were dealing with a fire in an extraction unit from a chip pan range which was partially outside the premises.
“We were dealing with that when we came under attack from a number of youths aged between around 12 to 18.
“One of the firefighters was struck on the side of the head, fortunately they were wearing the correct helmet and it could have been serious had they been facing the other way.” Two crews had been called to the scene at 8.20pm and the fire in the extractor fan was quickly extinguished.
Firefighters were dismantling the unit outside the shop when the youths appeared and began throwing stones and rocks at them.
Watch manager Duffell said it was difficult to establish how big the group was because they were hiding behind walls and obstacles.
He said: “We condemn that kind of behaviour from elements of the public.
“We are there to help and serve the community.
“It is shocking when we come under attack but it sometimes occurs.”
A spokesman for Lancashire police said officers were called to the scene and incident was under investigation.
A spokesman for Lancashire and Rescue Service said there were approximately 50 incidents of attacks on fire crews every year.
Anyone with information on the attack is asked to call police on 101 or charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Weather for Preston
Sunday 19 May 2013
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