A FIRE brigade may have to review safety procedures after a crew was ambushed by hooligans throwing fire works and firing rockets at them.

The crew of six were reported to be "distressed" at finding themselves the target of yobs who used the flat roof of a shopping parade as a firing platform.

One of the men's bosses, Divisional Officer Alan Gill, said the "large fireworks" were potent enough to have penetrated the men's protective overalls and to have caused injury had they found their target.

The firefighters came under attack as they fought to put out a blaze caused after petrol was splashed up the front of a pet shop in The Wynd, Marske, and ignited.

It was the second consecutive night that an attempt had been made to set the shop on fire. On this occasion there was fire damage to the frame of the shop window and to some shelving just inside the window.

The rest of the shop was lightly smoke logged, the animals inside were not affected.

DO Gill said: "We may look at our strategy; if we need extra protective clothing and what we need to do. We also need to have a look at one of these large fireworks and see what is inside.

"It is very distressing for the fire crews who have not only to deal with fires on this busiest night of the year - and the risks that that can entail - but to be extra vigilant and concerned for their own safety as well."

He added: "It was very distressing and upsetting to find they were a target.

"These were large fireworks and would have gone straight through the protective clothing."

Cleveland Fire Brigade dealt with 232 call-outs between 8am and midnight on November 5 - including 119 bonfires.

Meanwhile, Cleveland Police stopped and searched more than 300 people on the run up to bonfire night and made 23 arrests for offences ranging from violent disorder and drugs to taking without consent and breach of the peace.

Inspector Gary Gainsby said: "Anti-social behaviour patrols will continue.

"My message to parents is simply that they must take greater control and responsibility for the actions of their children.