Firefighters forced to flee Galliagh after coming under attack

Firefighters were forced to leave the scene of a car fire in Derry - Londonderry after coming under attack.

Crews had been responding to the blaze in Galliagh at around 8pm last night. 

Councillor Brian Tierney said a nearby Co-Op shop on the Fairview Road was forced to close and a number of homes were at risk of damage during the incident. 

“The attack on a car in the Galliagh area this evening is an unjustifiable crime and has forced the closure of local community facilities," he said.

“This is part of a wider pattern of car crime that continues to escalate in the area. As a member of the PCSP, I will be speaking to senior police officers in Derry to ensure that this kind of crime is a priority and that the community here can get some peace.

“I’ve spoken to council officials and asked that the wreckage of the car be removed as soon as possible. They have committed to ensuring it is addressed by first light.

Former Mayor, Councillor Elisha McCallion hit out at the so-called "death drivers", saying that they have "once more put the lives of local residents at risk".

"The activities of these anti-community elements while putting the lives of residents at risk also disrupted the operation of the Galliagh Co-op which had to close when these thugs set fire to the car in which they were death-driving around the area," she said.

"The residents of the greater Galliagh area are fed up with the antics of this minority element and demand that they cease this activity before there is a fatality or serious injury.

"I have no doubt that there are people in the area who are aware of those involved in this anti-community activity and I would remind them that they have a civic duty to bring that information to the PSNI so that this threat to public safety is brought to an end."