Just 27 fire engines will be on standby across London during a strike by firefighters.

Between 12pm and 4pm on Wednesday firefighters will walk out over changes to their pension scheme.

London Fire Brigade will still attend emergencies but might not get around to less serious fires.

There are usually 169 fire engines in the capital, though not all of them are always available due to training and maintenance.

London fire commissioner Ron Dobson said: “We will still attend emergencies but the contingency service is not intended to match the Brigade’s normal day to day cover.

“It is important that people take extra care, have working smoke alarms and take fire safety seriously.”

During the strike firefighters will attend:

  • Serious fires – like those in Londoners’ homes – confirmed by a 999 call
  • Fires that involve gas cylinders or hazardous substances
  • Explosions
  • Vehicle fires or boat fires
  • Fires at railway stations and rail and road tunnels or fires involving people in underground tunnels
  • Aircraft or train crashes
  • Road traffic collisions
  • Collapsed structures

During the strike firefighters may not be able to attend:

  • Grass fires and other outdoor fires such as trees, hedges or undergrowth alight
  • Rubbish fires (including fires in bins and skips) and fires on open ground
  • Animal rescues (these will be referred to the RSPCA)
  • People shut in lifts (owners of buildings are responsible for ensuring arrangements are in place to release people from faulty lifts)
  • Flooding
  • Automatic fire alarms – a fire engine will only be sent when the fire has been confirmed by a 999 call