Crews were called to Taft Homes at approximately 9:45 p.m. where commercial-grade fireworks were seen shooting into the sky from a trash bin.
The firefighters and officers were blocked access by a crowd of hundreds of people as well as a street filled with live and spent fireworks.
Mortar-type fireworks suddenly began firing toward and exploding near the officers and firefighters while some civilian began tossing bottles and rocks at them.
Officials told the newspaper at least three shells exploded on a fire engine and one hit a firefighter in the shoulder
The firefighter's jacket was burned and he suffered temporary hearing loss. He decline medical attention and remained on duty.
One of the police officers also suffered hearing loss and was treated at a local hospital later that night.
"It was rowdy, and those fireworks were dangerous," Peoria police Capt. Mike Scally told the newspaper. "They’re designed to go up in the air, not horizontal."
Crowds initially resisted commands from police and more than 200 pepper balls were fired before the crowd came under control.
The fire engine never made it to the burning trash bin and the small fire was allowed to burn.
"Our main concern was the safety of our firefighters," Division Chief Gary Van Voorhis said.
