A WAVE of unofficial industrial action by firefighters spread rapidly today.
Crews in West Yorkshire joined colleagues across the country in protest over a bitter row over their pay deal.
The action means that crews are handling 999 calls only and are not doing other work.
Fire safety checks, maintenance and drills have been halted at many stations.
In West Yorkshire, officials of the Fire Brigades' Union were locked in talks with fire chiefs.
But a spokesman said: "People are very, very angry.
"We ended the strike with a deal which promised us 16% over two years; we got 4% last November and now they have said we can have just 3.5% this month."
Firefighters claim the employers have reneged on a pay deal intended to end the long-running fire service dispute.
The action started last night in Norfolk and spread to other parts of the country.
One firefighter involved in the action said firemen and women decided to answer only 999 calls in protest at an expected 7% pay rise being paid in two stages.
The Fire Brigades' Union reacted angrily at the weekend after hearing that 3.5% will be paid on Friday, with the remaining 3.5% coming in the new year.
The bitter dispute earlier this year saw firefighters stage several strikes over pay and conditions.
Army Green Goddesses were brought into use to provide fire cover across the country.
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