Yobs pelt emergency services as they attend boat blaze

FIREFIGHTERS were pelted with stones by yobs as they tackled a boat fire in south Warwickshire.

Three crews from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service were dealing with a blaze on a boat on the Budbrooke stretch of the Grand Union Canal at 9pm on Sunday night when the youths started throwing stones at them.

It has also been revealed that the boat was broken into and a generator stolen shortly before the fire started.

Warwickshire Police said while they were managing traffic in the area, they spoke to a group of youths after receiving reports of stones being thrown from across the canal at the fire crews.

A spokesman for Warwickshire Police said: “Police were notified by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service of a fire on a boat moored on the Grand Union Canal at Budbrooke Road, near Warwick on Sunday.

“Officers initially attended to manage traffic while fire fighters tackled the blaze, but also spoke to a group of youths in the area after receiving reports of stones being thrown from across the canal at fire crews and appliances.

“It is believed the boat was broken into and a generator was stolen from inside sometime between 3pm and 7.30pm, shortly before the fire was reported.

“Officers are investigating the incident and the fire is currently being treated as unexplained.

“Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident number 448 of 11 June.”

The fire service have said they will not tolerate any antisocial behaviour and violence against crews.

A spokesman for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue said: “While attending a boat fire at the Budbrooke stretch of the Grand Union Canal at 9pm on June 11, fire crews encountered a high level of anti-social behaviour from a group of youths on the other side of the canal which included the throwing of stones.

“This created serious safety concerns for our crews who contacted Warwickshire Police for assistance and to allow them to carry out their duties.

“Warwickshire Fire and Rescue will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour and/or acts of violence against crews and such acts can serious affect their ability to carry out their duties which can potentially endanger lives.”

Fire crews were on scene for around two hours while they tackled the fire.