Published: Tuesday, 16th September, 2008 12:30
Eyesore flats are a haven for firebugs
By Andrew Gibson
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Fire chief appeals for community’s co-operation
CRUMBLING flats are a magnet for fire-raising kids hell-bent on attacking emergency crews.
Just last week firefighters had stones and sticks thrown at them as they dealt with a fire, that may have been started deliberately.
This was just the latest of a number of similar incidents at the same spot.
And now calls have been made to knock down the largely derelict Hill Street flats in Brucehill in order to stop youngsters creating blazes to lure in the fire brigade.
A concerned Brucehill resident told the Reporter that if the flats were not there then the problems would stop.
She said: “I think they should have pulled the houses down a long time ago because the kids congregate up there and keep setting fires — the fire brigade will continue going up there.
“The buildings are derelict. Nobody in the community wants fire crews getting attacked when they are doing their job.
“They are getting called out to fires that shouldn’t happen and it wouldn’t happen if those houses were not there.
“They should have been pulled down long ago and I would like to see them down as well.”
Meanwhile, the Dumbarton Fire Station chief has called for the community to support the fire brigade and report any youths who attack them.
Andy Watt, watch commander, said: “Fire fighters should not have to endure vicious attacks while protecting our communities.
“We have to make sure of our own safety and that we are in our full gear with our helmets on and visors down so we don’t get hit.
“The fire service and the police are doing everything possible to halt such attacks but the public has a role to play. Many, if not most attackers, are children and young people and members of the community should report anything they know about attacks to the police.
“Communities can do so much to curb this violence and we are grateful when people do go to the police to give information about attacks on firefighters.”
After hearing about the most recent attack on Sunday (September 7), Iain Robertson, West Dunbartonshire Council leader has vowed to hold meetings with the authorities to try and come up with a solution.
He said: “It is a disgraceful situation — these are professionals who are there to save our lives and they deserve respect. I would put a plea to these people to think about what you are doing, as there may come a day when these men and women may have to save your lives.
“I am more than happy to pull the various agencies together to see if there is something we can do to tackle this problem.”
West Dunbartonshire Council was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.
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