Firefighters were attacked by youths throwing stones as they dealt with a fourth fire in the space of 24 hours on the Sligo Road in the early hours of yesterday morning (Wednesday).

In recent months the number of deliberate fires in this area of Enniskillen has increased significantly with the latest series bringing the total number to 14.

It is believed that wooden pallets and a mattress were used, while two of the fires were set alight on a public road.

At around 3.45am on Wednesday morning, October 10, firefighters were dispatched to deal with a fire on the Sligo Road.

A spokeswoman for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the fire was “deliberate”.

As firefighters were extinguishing the fire they came under attack from a number of youths in the area throwing stones.

The spokeswoman added that there were no injuries sustained by the firefighters in attendance and no damage caused to the appliance.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, October 9 firefighters dealt with the first fire in Drumawill Gardens.

“They were back again to the Sligo Road at around 9.30pm that evening to deal with another deliberate fire.

Five hours later at around 2.30am, firefighters were called out again to the Sligo Road to deal with another deliberate fire, before returning an hour later to deal with the third incident when they were subsequently attacked.

Police confirmed they received reports of pallets being set on fire at three locations in the Sligo Road area of Enniskillen. The first fire was reported at 3.50am yesterday, Tuesday, 9 October and the other two were reported at 2.30am and 3.50am yesterday morning, Wednesday, 10 October.

Sergeant Gerald Robinson said: “These fires, two of which were on a public road, could have had serious consequences for anyone travelling along the Sligo Road. This behaviour is totally reckless and shows a total disregard for the safety of others.

“I would appeal to anyone who has any information about any of these incidents to contact police at Enniskillen on the non-emergency number 101, quoting references 1340 09/10/18 and 97 and 129 10/10/18.

“Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100 per cent anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”

During a spate of fires in the Sligo Road area towards the end of the summer, a shed, car and bungalow were all believed to be deliberately set on fire while rubbish and branches were set alight at a playground in the Drumawill area.

This was followed by further incidents at the playground on September 3, when firefighters were called to deal with two fires in the space of an hour at the play area near Drumawill Gardens. A day later two more incidents were reported and attended to by the fire service in Drumawill Park and Irvine’s Crescent, Enniskillen.

Again, Drumawill Gardens was the scene for the fire service to attend a fire when rubbish was set alight on September 9.

Residents have said before that they are “very concerned” about the fires which are an “ongoing issue” in the area.