Schoolboy, 15, charged with trying to steal fire engine

A SCHOOLBOY has been charged with attempting to steal a fire engine after crews were ambushed by a gang of youths as they battled a blaze in Edinburgh.

The 15-year-old is accused of jumping into the appliance and revving the engine in a bid to drive off, while up to 30 others - some as young as five - ran riot and pelted the crews with eggs.

The youngsters are said to have caused "havoc" as crews battled the suspicious blaze at the West Pilton Children's Centre on Sunday at 1pm.

Police are now investigating both the fire and the attacks on the firefighters after the youths fled the scene.

Fire group manager, Tam McGrath, 43, who headed the crew on the day, said he had never before suffered such abuse in his 23 years of service.

He said: "I'd never seen anything like this. Not only am I disgusted that these people put my firefighters at risk, they also threatened the public in the locality too.

"A number of people interfered with a fire engine and they could easily have taken the handbrake off and allowed it to roll down the hill.

"There was a lot of very challenging behaviour. The youths wouldn't be told what to do and they made things very difficult.

"Because we discovered asbestos in the roof, putting out the fire was extra complicated and this was made even worse by the kids running riot.

"I don't for the life of me understand why anyone would want to challenge firefighters or policemen doing their job."

It is the second time in recent months that firefighters have been attacked in the area.

In July hoses were slashed as crews tried to put out a blaze at the old Craigroyston Community High School, on Pennywell Road.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said the latest attacks led to water supplies being briefly affected.

A spokeswoman said: "It was rather chaotic. We had a number of problems with youths who interfered with firefighting operations.

"To impede emergency workers in the course of their duties is an offence and the actions of these youngsters were totally unacceptable."

A police spokeswoman said: "A police investigation is ongoing. A 15-year-old male was arrested and charged with attempting to steal a fire engine. Police forces were not attacked during the incident."