Air rifle attack on firefighters

The cracked window of the fire engine

Firefighters returning from a call-out have been attacked with an air rifle, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has said.

At 2240 GMT on Friday the crew, based at Northland Road in Londonderry, was fired upon by someone using what was described as a laser sighted air-rifle.

The crew cab window was cracked, but there were no injuries.

The NIFRS said such "mindless attacks" put the lives of firefighters and the public at risk.

In a statement they appealed for anyone with any information about the attack to make it known to the police.

Station commander Paul Coyle said the attack was a new low.

"There were five personnel on the appliance and had it hit the driver or anybody for that matter it could have been quite frightening," he said.

"Indeed one of the most concerning things about the whole incident is that it has elevated the whole issue of attacks on the emergency services and in particular the fire service on this occasion to a new level - resorting to actually firing pellets from a rifle."