Warning after firefighter attacked with firework

A dedicated watch manager of almost 30 years’ firefighting service was last night hit by a firework aimed at a crew from Blackley who were tackling a bonfire in Crumpsall Park, Ash Tree Road, Manchester.

Firefighters were called to the scene just after 8.45pm yesterday (31 October). As 50-year-old Paul Marston and a colleague approached the blaze in the south side of the park, a group of roughly 15 youths dressed in black began to aim lighted fireworks in their direction.

As Mr Marston turned to return to the fire engine, a firework ricocheted off his colleague and lodged under the back of his helmet, burning hair and skin. Remarkably, other than a small burn above his right ear, the Watch Manager is otherwise physically unharmed – he was treated with a burns pack at the scene before requiring further assessment at North Manchester Hospital.

Speaking the morning after the attack, Paul Marston said:

Earlier this week a GMFRS crew from Hollins came under attack when a bottle was thrown at a fire engine while firefighters were responding to reports of a fire in the open in Limeside Park in Oldham.

Thankfully no-one was hurt and the fire engine was not damaged, but the Fire Service is reminding people about the potential consequences of anti-social behaviour.

Jim Wallace, Chief Fire Officer for Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, said:

Last year the government introduced new legislation to protect emergency personnel while on duty and individuals who attack or assault emergency service workers could face long jail terms.

The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill created a new offence of “assault against an emergency worker in the exercise of their functions’” – the Bill covers emergency workers, including the fire service, search and rescue services, police, prison officers, custody offers and ambulance personnel.

Bev Hughes, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, added:

Chief Inspector Kirsten Buggy from GMP’s City of Manchester division said: