Military personnel have been out fighting blazes as firefighters man picket lines for the latest in a series of pay strikes.

Andy Gilchrist, the leader of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), has told the BBC that there is "every chance" that two further strikes - scheduled for 28 Jan and 1 February - may be suspended.

He said he had written to the conciliation service ACAS, suggesting that both sides should be invited back into talks without preconditions, hopefully on Wednesday or Thursday.

Tuesday's action, the third 24-hour strike, continues until 0900 GMT on Wednesday morning.

'Bunch of idiots'

Troops covering for the crews received emergency calls within five minutes of the strike starting, with Green Goddesses heading to a pub in the City of London after reports of smoke.

We've been forced into this position Dave Brigley Firefighter

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In Glasgow, an elderly man died after a suspected chip pan fire despite the efforts of a military crew.

In Plymouth, firefighters left their picket lines to rescue a woman trapped in a car.

But in FBU members in Caerphilly refused to leave their picket lines under any circumstances because "a strike's a strike".

Tory defence spokesman Bernard Jenkin urged ministers to get a ban on the strike, calling the union leaders a "bunch of idiots".

But the FBU said the strike was "100% solid" and urged the employers to resume negotiations.

And Sir Jeremy Beecham, who represents the firefighters' employers, said Mr Jenkin's comments had been extremely unhelpful.

"It doesn't serve any purpose at all except perhaps to encourage people to adopt even more entrenched positions," he said.

'Dangerous job'

A survey by Mori suggested support for the firefighters remained strong among the British public, with two-thirds of 995 people questioned backing the strike.

TALKING POINT

Do you support the latest strike? If this government has its way we will all suffer from a reduced quality of service in the future David, UK

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BBC News Online's internet poll of more than 4,000 users, however, suggested about 75% were against the strike.

Before announcing the possibility of new talks Mr Gilchrist blamed the government for prolonging the dispute by setting "an agenda of ridiculous preconditions" before negotiations could begin.

STRIKE SCHEDULE

21 January: 24 hours 28 January: 48 hours 1 February: 48 hours

More than 177 red appliances have been added to the military Green Goddess fire engines during this strike - 90 more than during the last walkout.

Local authority employers have stood firm on a 4% pay offer, rising to 11% over two years, based on a review of the fire service by Sir George Bain.

They and the government say anything more must be funded by modernisation moves - which the FBU has been opposing as meaning job cuts and a reduced service.