UPDATE: A 14-year-old boy has been arrested following a shocking incident in Knowsley, where emergency workers were attacked with fireworks while responding to a fire at a high-rise building. The incident unfolded at Knowsley Heights on Primrose Drive shortly before 7:00 PM on November 5, 2023.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene after reports of a group of youths directing fireworks towards the building. Upon arrival, crews from the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) discovered a fire on a third-floor balcony. Five fire engines and an aerial appliance were quickly deployed to extinguish the blaze.
During this urgent response, firefighters and police officers encountered a dangerous situation as fireworks were launched at them. A female police officer sustained a minor leg injury, and a teenager was injured by a firework and required treatment from the North West Ambulance Service.
Merseyside Police confirmed the arrest of the 14-year-old at approximately 7:20 PM on charges of arson with intent to endanger life. He remains in custody as investigations continue into this reckless act that endangered both residents and emergency personnel.
Chief Inspector Kevin Chatterton condemned the attack, stating,
“We will not tolerate this type of disgraceful behaviour, particularly when it involves emergency services staff being targeted in such a way. It is only by sheer good fortune that nobody was seriously injured.”
Local officials, including Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, expressed their outrage over the incident. He remarked,
“I am shocked and saddened that our hardworking firefighters have been targeted maliciously whilst attending a call-out. Thankfully, the fire was dealt with quickly and all residents are safe and well.”
He also assured that authorities will work diligently to identify those responsible.
The MFRS spokesperson reported that firefighters were alerted at 6:57 PM and arrived on scene at 7:04 PM. They were able to extinguish the fire without any injuries among the crew, but the spokesperson urged the community to respect emergency workers, stating,
“Fire crews are out protecting our communities and do not deserve to be attacked.”
All fire engines are equipped with CCTV, which will aid in the ongoing investigation by Merseyside Police.
The community is left shaken by this incident, highlighting the need for increased awareness and respect for emergency services. As investigations proceed, further updates are expected. Stay tuned for more developments on this urgent situation.
