BERKSHIRE stand-by firefighters were called out three times during the latest strike action – which ended 30 minutes into New Year’s Day - in the pensions row with the Government.

Ten contingency fire engines were on call during the six hour stoppage and senior officers again thanked the public for not dialling 999 unnecessarily.

The first callout, to a house blaze in Earley, came at 6.47pm and contingency crews using breathing apparatus had to rescue two people suffering from severe smoke inhalation. The victims were taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital for treatment.

Four firefighters went into the house and put out the fire, which started in a bedroom. The Red Cross Fire Emergency Support team was also at the scene

At 8.39pm an appliance went to Marlborough Road, Maidenhead, where a grass fire on waste ground is thought to have been started by a stray firework. A firefighter used a hose to put out the flames.

At four minutes past midnight a chimney fire was reported at Layleys Green in Curridge, near Newbury, which was also dealt with by the brigade

Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Andy Mancey said todaY: “I would like to thank members of the public for helping us by not making unnecessary 999 calls and for following safety advice. We hope that they will again take extra care between 6.30am and 8.30am on Friday during the next period of industrial action.”

Fire safety advice and updates on industrial action can be found at www.rbfrs.co.uk