A Belfast fire brigade crew was lured into a trap where they were pelted with missiles, it emerged today.
Up to 40 youths also urinated over equipment as the under-siege west Belfast unit tried to escape.
Belfast area commander Mr Chris Kerr said: "We have reached a new low in how firefighters are being treated in the community."
His men were called out to a blaze at Colin Glen Forest Park last night, but when they arrived a mob surrounded their engine.
"All the indications are that the fire was started deliberately to draw my firefighters into the area and attack them," Mr Kerr said.
"They were surrounded by 40 youths, many of whom were in a drunken state. The appliance was then attacked by bottles and bricks.
"When the crew was trying to deal with the fire, the driver was threatened verbally with physical assault. "As the crew began to leave, they urinated over the appliance."
Mr Kerr was incensed by how the service was treated as they responded to a suspected emergency. Political representatives and members of the public were also sickened by the attack, he said.