FIREFIGHTERS came under attack from youths armed with rockets and other powerful fireworks on a dimly-lit Bolton street.

Firemen Paul Dugdale and Glynn McGann were temporarily deafened when a firework thrown from a passing car exploded in Hopefield Street.

The windows of a nearby school were also cracked when a firework landed next to a fire-engine in another incident in Goldsmith Street.

Today a Bolton fire chief said the louts were endangering their own lives -- and the lives of others.

The attack last night happened less than a week after a firefighter was injured by a firework thrown while he was putting out a blaze in Farnworth. Firefighter Dugdale today revealed how he, and his colleague, were attacked as they were dealing with a skip fire.

He said: "It was the sort of firework that should have been 1,000 feet up in the air, not on the ground."

Fire crews from Bolton Central fire station were called to four separate fires in the area between 8.30pm and 10pm last night.

The fires had all been started deliberately in skips and wheelie-bins off Derby Street. Each time the crews arrived they were confronted by a gang of youths.

Firefighter McGann and firefighter Dugdale believe the fireworks being hurled this year are more powerful and dangerous than previously, with some even being left as booby-traps inside blazing cars.

In the coming weeks they say lives could be put in danger because fire crews will have to turn out to minor blazes in pairs for protection, leaving a shortage of cover for elsewhere.

Firefighter Dugdale said: "It's no different than somebody making hoax calls."

Station Officer Peter Brandon from the Bolton Central station said: "A firefighter's job is to help members of the public.

"I cannot understand why people could be so reckless as to do something like this.

"If a firework exploded near a firefighter and damaged his eyes or perforated one of his eardrums it could end his career. These people are endangering people's livelihoods while putting their own lives at risk."

Sgt Ian Coop, of Bolton Police, today confirmed an investigation into a number of reported incidents has been launched.

Sgt Coop added: "This type of behaviour will not be tolerated. We have received reports of youths throwing fireworks in the Daubhill area of Bolton and they will be investigated.

"Fireworks are not toys. They can kill. People who throw fireworks put their own lives and the lives of others at risk. Anyone who witnesses such behaviour should contact police."

David Crausby, MP for Bolton North, has campaigned against the sale of fireworks to under 18s. He said this lunchtime he was appalled at the actions of these young people.

Mr Crausby added: "Generally the whole business of fireworks is out of hand. These actions prove that the voluntary code does not work and that legislation should be brought into force.

"They should not be sold for use so long before November 5. It is just asking for this kind of trouble."