Firefighters today told how they were pelted with stones and bricks by vandals as they tackled a blaze at a derelict building.

A crew from Grays was put in the firing line when they went to London Road, South Stifford, to deal with a pile of timber that had been left to burn.

They said it was a tricky fire to get to and all six lengths of hose reel had to be used to get close - which also involved going via a back garden in Moore Avenue.

Before they could begin to put out the blaze, youngsters were seen near the fire and were putting even more timber on the pile, stoking the flames.

After being spotted they ran off, but soon returned to the building - which had been demolished on Thursday - armed with stones and lumps of house brick.

Fireman Roger Pickett was one of the targets for the hail of missiles.

He said: "It is sad when we become the objects of these people's lack of intelligence. It's great fun to them, but dangerous for us. Within a few minutes we were being pelted with lumps of house brick and stones and verbally abused."

He added there were plenty of near misses, although none of the firefighters were injured.

The officer in charge called for help from police and a number of youngsters were questioned.

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