The 20-strong group ambushed the firefighters as they tackled the blaze in Warrensway, Woodside, last night.

The youths had created a potentially explosive fire by piling up wheelie-bins, aerosol cans and other debris on a green area.

A crew from Telford Fire Station first went out to put out the bonfire at 9.30pm.

But they had to withdraw temporarily when they were met with physical violence and a torrent of abuse.

Crews then had to go back to the area several times later in the night on wasted journeys to answer prank calls.

Sub-officer Paul Plant, for the fire service, today warned the culprits were putting innocent lives at risk and could face prosecution.

“They set a bonfire off and sat there waiting. When we decided to put the fire out, they got nasty,” he said.

“We were stoned and threatened with violence and they threatened one officer with physical violence.

“They think it is fun but the last thing we want to do is leave the fire because we can’t get to it. We are trying to do our job and we also have to call in extra resources.”

Mr Plant added that crews had to visit the area several times until around 11.30pm to deal with prank calls.

He said: “Then we were in the area for what we call malicious incidents. It was basically prank calling. They think it is fun taking resources away from where we are working elsewhere.”

He said that similar incidents were quite common in bonfire season and warned that they would be treated seriously. “It’s coming up to bonfire season and they have a tendency of starting fires and then setting little traps for firefighters.

“The point we are trying to make is that they can now be prosecuted for that. They can get in serious trouble.”

Constable Pete Simmonds, a spokesman for Telford police, said officers had attended the area just after 10pm. He added: “This behaviour of youths towards the fire service will not be tolerated and they will be dealt with appropriately.”

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