Rioters attack Kingston fire fighters

Kingston fire crews drafted in to fight fires in Croydon last night were reportedly attacked by rioters who threw concrete blocks and smashed the windows of their fire engine.

The crew was on its way to Croydon to tackle a blaze started by rioters earlier in the evening, when it was attacked as it passed through a road blockade.

As reported on KingstonGuardian, Jason Bettinson, Kingston's fire crew manager, said: "They were attacked en route to a fire. It was a shock for them. They didn't expect to come under attack themselves with missiles thrown at them."

The damage to the vehicle means that Kingston is now without one of its two fire engines.

Despite the attack, the crew made it to the fire in Croydon, which was eventually extinguished.

Paul Neale, representative for Kingston and Richmond Fire Brigades Union, commended the work of the team, saying: "Regardless of what happens we will do everything in our power to serve the public as was admirably demonstrated last night."