A firefighter was shot with a pellet gun today while driving an appliance through busy traffic in Belfast.
He was struck with at least three pellets when a youth fired through the open window of the vehicle as he drove down the Ormeau Road this afternoon.
The fireman was not injured and managed to stop the engine safely.
A Fire Service spokesman condemned the attack.
"On this occasion, the driver was not seriously injured, but the consequences could have been very serious if the driver had been hit in the eye or face and lost control of the fire appliance as the Ormeau Road was very busy with commuter traffic at that time," he said.
"NIFRS would continue to appeal to the community and also to parents to help educate their children not to attack the emergency services. Firefighters are part of the community and they work tirelessly to protect the local community."
PA