Loyalist rioters attack fire crews in Belfast

Stone-throwing rioters attacked a fire crew called to a blaze in the loyalist Shankill area of Belfast last night.

The fire engine’s driver's window was smashed but there were no injuries during the attack on Silvio Street. The vehicle had to be taken out of service for repairs.

Fire personnel are increasingly becoming targets for rioters in the North.

Officers were attacked on Sunday morning when they were called to quench fires lit by a loyalist gang in the Sandy Row area of Belfast.

Elsewhere, an attack in Coleraine, Co Derry, nine days ago badly damaged two fire engines. They had to be withdrawn from service.