Firefighters were tonight due to go back to work after their 48-hour protest over pay.

Standing together - firefighters on the picket line.

Green goddess crews have attended more than 1,200 incidents across the country since the strike began.

In Clacton, a green goddess went to the aid of residents whose flat was on fire.

Crews also put out a bin on fire in Old Road, Clacton, a cooker fire at a house in Maldon Way, Clacton, and a chip pan fire in Constable Avenue, Clacton.

The strike is due to finish at 6pm. The next planned action is an eight day stoppage scheduled to start on November 22.

Today the Government indicated service personnel would be able to use fire engines instead of green goddesses if the strike goes ahead.

Yesterday, a green goddess crew went to the rescue after a fire started in the first floor flat of a three-storey building in Skermersdale Road, Clacton.

Sean Swan was at home when the fire broke out in the kitchen and tried to fight it but was forced to leave and raise the alarm.

Army personnel were called to fight the blaze but were hampered as they did not have any breathing apparatus.

But fire victims Michelle Lucas and Sean Swan had nothing but praise for the emergency firefighters.

They said: "They were marvellous, absolutely brilliant."

The 12 residential flats at Holland House were evacuated while army personnel fought the blaze.

No-one was hurt but there was smoke and water damage which was mainly confined to the kitchen.

Published Friday November 15, 2002

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