A FIREFIGHTER who was attacked by a gang of 30 yobs as he tackled a blaze said: "In 15 years, I've never experienced anything like it."

Paul McHugh has spoken of his anger after he was set upon while he attended a fire off New Chapel Street in Mill Hill, Blackburn, last week.

He was spat at, bombarded with bottles and bricks and had to withstand punches and kicks from his attackers who were aged between 13 and 19.

Mr McHugh, 36, who has been a firefighter in Blackburn and Darwen for 15 years, said: "As soon as we arrived these kids were trying to pull the hose off me.

"Then they began throwing bricks.

"I could feel them bouncing off my helmet.

"They were swearing and spitting and squaring up to me, trying to challenge me to a fight.

"None of them had any respect for us as firefighters.

"You ask yourself what has happened to society."

Mr McHugh, who works with the Red Watch crew, said that he had not been injured in the attack but had been left very shocked.

He added: "In 15 years as a firefighter, I have never experienced anything like it.

"The hardest thing to come to terms with is the shock.

"These are the same children who we visit in schools and try to teach a fire safety message but they just behave as if there are no consequences."

The incident happened on Sunday, October 29, at around 7.30pm and police are still investigating to track down the culprits.