A lift rescue and playground fire during this morning’s firefighters’ strike

Members of the Fire Brigades union (FBU) took industrial action between 6.30am and 8.30am today (Friday). It was their ninth strike in recent months.

Cover was provided by firefighters who chose not to strike and Community Response Operatives.

They had to free someone from a lift after they became trapped in an apartment block in Mirfield. And other crews put out a small fire in Hawksworth, Leeds, after rubber mats in a play area had been set alight.

Chief fire officer Simon Pilling said: “We have thankfully experienced a quiet couple of hours during today’s industrial action.

“We would like to thank the public for staying safe this morning.”

Contingency plans meant the service had 29 fire engines covering the county, instead of its usual fleet of 54.

The strikes are due to an ongoing dispute between the FBU and Government over pension reforms