The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is one of the main emergency services working hard to keep people in Scotland safe. Sadly on Saturday evening just after 6.30 when they attended to put out a bonfire lit in Bingham, the fire crew was attacked with stones. One firefighter was struck during the incident which involved a load of rubbish set alight.
Fire crews attending another bonfire in Sighthill just fifteen minutes before also came under attack from rockets.
This was not an isolated incident as there were reports of other bonfires across the country being deliberately lit with fireworks being thrown at the fire appliance when they turned up to get the fire under control.
Between 4pm and midnight firefighters across the country had responded to 970 incidents, including 326 bonfires and Operations controls had dealt with hundreds of calls.
On the busiest night of the year for the fire service, there were reports of bonfires in Aberdeen, Dundee, Muir of Ord where a 20 metre hedge was set alight by a stray firework. Crews had to use a high pressure jet to put the fire out. There was a whins fire at Alturlie Quarry at Allanfearn, a bonfire in Stirling where firefighters also came under attack.
SFRS had appealed to the public to choose to attend organised events rather than do-it-yourself fireworks displays or illegal bonfires.
ACO Ramsay, said: “Our crews responded to 970incidents on Bonfire Night and over 300 bonfires.
“Bonfire Night is typically the service’s busiest night of the year, but in addition to numerous bonfires firefighters continue to respond to the full range of emergencies we face on a daily basis.
“Our frontline crews and Operations Control personnel are extremely dedicated and I would like to pay tribute to their professionalism, skill and hard work which enabled them to help protect communities across the country.”
The organised fireworks display at Meadowbank Stadium, one of the key Guy Fawkes events in the city, was cancelled by organisers Edinburgh Leisure due to expected bad weather on Saturday night.
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In Bingham or in Sighthill? They’re different ends of town.
You’re absolutely right – there were two separate incidents though – and we have now amended the article!
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