FIREFIGHTERS who responded to a hoax call were stoned by a gang of youths.

Officers were called out to a report of a car burning beneath the bridge at the junction of St Lukes Road and Hanbury Road, Pontnewynydd, at 9.50pm on Saturday.

They did not find a car, but pallets, which had been deliberately set alight.

Leading firefighter Andrew Young said: "We pulled up and started to put the fire out. Then stones started hitting the pump. There was a group of around ten youths on the bridge throwing cans and stones down at us.

"It went on for about five or ten minutes before police arrived and they ran off. Luckily, no-one was injured, but the windscreen of the appliance was chipped."

Firefighter Young said it was the first time he had come under attack in 14 years of service.

"I've never known something like this happen here before. Hopefully it's just a one-off.

"You are doing your bit for the community and being attacked doing it. This incident could have been a lot worse."

A police spokesman said officers were making inquiries in the area to try to find those responsible, and asked anyone with information to contact them on 01495 746711.

l Incidents of fire crews being attacked have been increasing in recent years. A spokesman for the South Wales Fire Service said there had been over 40 recorded attacks on fire crews attending incidents in just over a year. They include several incidents in Cwmbran and Blaenavon.

The spokesman said: "In some cases, gangs have even planted LPG gas cylinders in cars that they have stolen and then set alight. The cylinders heat up quickly and explode, with life-threatening and devastating results."

Senior Divisional Officer Ray Jones said: "Attacks on fire crews are nothing new - they are something we've had to endure for many years.

"Firefighters continually put their lives on the line to protect the public - we can no longer accept this physical abuse and violence from people who see us as some sort of target. They seem to have forgotten that we are there to help people."