Drunken youths maliciously started a fire in west Belfast to lure firefighters to the scene so they could attack them, it was claimed yesterday.
The Fire Service Belfast commander said bottles and bricks were used to pelt the fire engine while officers were threatened by youths who later urinated on firefighting equipment.
Mr Chris Kerr said the incident "marked a new low in how firefighters are treated in the community".
He said the fire service was called out on Sunday night to a blaze at Colin Glen Forest Park on the fringe of west Belfast only to find the fire tender surrounded by youths on their arrival.
"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."
Sinn Féin West Belfast Assembly member Mr Michael Ferguson claimed drinkers who use the park were responsible.