Firefighters attacked, truck damaged as crews called to reports of fire at Taperoo

Two men have been arrested after allegedly attacking four emergency workers and damaging a fire truck in Adelaide’s west as fire crews rushed to reports of a fire.

Fire crews have been assaulted and a fire truck has been damaged as the MFS were called to reports of a fire on Sunday night.

Police patrols and MFS crews were called to Strathfield Tce, Taperoo, about 9pm after neighbours reported a rubbish fire in the front yard of a house.

The MFS crews were first to turn up, and as they arrived, four officers were allegedly assaulted by two men.

The officers were not seriously injured but a fire truck was damaged.

United Firefighters Union of South Australia secretary Max Adlam said she understood the firefighters were threatened to be “set alight” upon responding to a small rubbish fire in the front yard of a suburban property.

MFS Acting Chief Officer Jeff Swann speaking at the press conference. Pictures: 7NEWS

She said she believed the attending crew attempted to leave while the accused attempted to prevent the firefighters from leaving before the crew’s fire appliance was damaged.

She said “stupid” behaviour put undue pressure on emergency service personnel who already have a difficult job.

“It is traumatic for anyone having to respond to an incident like this,” she said.

“They (fire crews) are highly trained and very resilient - but the cumulative effect means we are dealing with compensation claims.”

She said SAPOL were quick to respond and there were tools to help support crews in the aftermath of such an incident.

“People are offered things like counselling, medical support and security.”

Ms Adlam said on the whole the union was seeing an increase in PTSD claims as well as a rise in claims relating to carcinogen exposure.

Ms Adlam also paid tribute to South Australia Police for their swift response to the incident.

MFS acting chief officer Jeff Swan told media on Monday that there were no significant injuries to staff, however he described the incident as “difficult and challenging”.

“We turn up and are welcomed by people, we’re there to assist - that’s our primary purpose,” Officer Swan said

“It’s a challenge for us to deal with behaviour that is not that welcoming.

“Globally it’s something we see occasionally, we’re not accustomed to it in MFS in SA - it’s rare.”

When asked whether crews were trained in dealing with altercations, he said the protocol was to remove themselves from the situation and await police attendance.

SA Police Superintendent Darren Fielke told media that police arrived while MFS crews were still at the scene.

“(The firefighters) were there just to do their job and they were assaulted while they were doing their duty … (no) emergency service worker should not have to put up with behaviour like that,” he said.

“They’re doing their job and responding to a call for assistance by a member of the public, it’s abhorrent to be frank.”

Police patrols arrested a 37-year-old man and a 36-year-old man, both from Taperoo.

They were both charged with four counts of assaulting an emergency worker and property damage.

Both men were bailed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on March 19.