YOBS pelted a fire engine with stones after it was called to a garage fire.

The two fire engines were attending the incident in Church Close, Canvey, at about 10.30pm on Sunday.

As the crews were departing at 11pm, stones were thrown from people watching.

One cracked the windscreen of an engine.

Councillor Peter May condemned the attack.

The Canvey Island Independent Party councillor said: “I think it is disgraceful.

“It is the first time I have heard of this happening on Canvey.

“I have no doubt that fire fighters are usually held in high respect because they put their lives on the line going in to save people.

“For them to be attacked is pretty disgusting.

“If the people get identified I hope they are properly dealt with.

“If is is kids then where are their parents? And if it is teenagers their parents should be told so they can be dealt with.”

Mr May said it was lucky the firefighters had not been out of the engine when the stones were being thrown or it could have injured someone.

Mr May added there had been many problems in Church Close.

He said: “The road is a problem area.

“There is quite a bit of flytipping there - a pile of wood had been dumped on Sunday.

“The garages there used to be set on fire and I have been talking to the council about it.

“The council did go down there and has put metal over the doors over the garages to stop it from happening.

“I think it is quite out of the way so they can get away with it.

“The garages used to be really well used and looked after, but I don’t think a lot of people use them now.”

A spokesman from Essex Fire and Rescue said: “Two fire engines were responding to a rubbish fire in a garage at 10.30pm on Sunday.

“When crews left the scene, one fire engine suffered a cracked windscreen from a stone thrown by an unknown person.

“The incident was reported to the police.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 - or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.