Yobs pelt firefighters with golf balls as they tackle arson attack blaze at nature reserve
FIREFIGHTERS were pelted with golf balls as they tackled a blaze at a nature reserve, authorities say.
Emergency servicemen responded to reports of an fire at Mansfield’s Oak Tree Nature reserve on Friday night.
According to local reports, crews spent three hours to stop the fire from spreading to a nearby leisure centre.
But as they tackled the blaze, many were reportedly hit with golf balls by local yobs.
Authorities believe the fire was started deliberately and have appealed for witnesses.
Area manager Andy Macey of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Deliberate fires put lives at risk and take our fire engines away from dealing with other life-threatening incidents.
Read more on news
"With the extreme weather we are already dealing with more incidents than normal, and deliberate fire starting needlessly ties up our resources.
"Attacks on our crews as they go about their job are completely unacceptable and we will be working with our police colleagues to identify those responsible.
"I ask anyone with information to come forward to the police."
The warning comes as more than 100 emergency vehicles were called to London’s Brixton Market on Saturday evening following reports of a blaze at a warehouse.
Most read in News
Videos shared on social media showed emergency services frantically trying to clear passers-by away from the scene amid scenes of panic.
The fire reportedly broke out in a three-storey building near Electric Lane as punters revelled in the hot weather.
The cause of the blaze is unknown.