FIREFIGHTERS' latest 48-hour strike passed quietly, with a blazing row between union chiefs and the government being the most fiery incident.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was accused of "bullying" after he revealed yesterday that the government was considering changing legislation to force the Fire Brigades' Union into negotiations.

The latest stoppage ended at 9am today with the military stepping down after providing East Lancashire's fire cover for two days.

Firefighters in Rawtenstall broke off the strike in the early hours of today to help three children and an adult escape from a house in Dale Street, Bacup.

A German shepherd dog was found dead in the living room. The family was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

The army tackled a variety of rubbish fires and other minor incidents.

Yesterday evening, rubbish fires were put out in Whitendale Crescent, Blackburn, in Royd Street, Accrington and Belvedere Road, Burnley.

At 8.45pm, green goddesses tackled a fire in a shed behind the health centre in Avenue Parade, Accrington, and were also called to a false alarm in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle at 9.10pm.

FBU leader Andy Gilchrist said the government's tactics amounted to bullying and that support for the strike remained "solid".