Twenty-two Tube stations have been closed during the 24-hour strike by firefighters.

London Underground (LU) hopes to offer a normal service, but has decided to shut 20 deep-lying stations which are served by lifts following a safety assessment.

Shadwell Station will also be closed during peak hours and customers using Gloucester Road will only be able to access the District and Circle lines.

During the last series of fire strikes further disruption was caused to Tube services because some drivers refused to work on safety grounds.

Stations closed during the strike

Belsize Park Borough Caledonian Road Chalk Farm Covent Garden Edgware Road (Bakerloo Road) Elephant & Castle Gloucester Road (Piccadilly line only) Goodge Street Hampstead Holland Park Holloway Road Kennington Lambeth North Lancaster Gate Mornington Crescent Queensway Regent's Park Russell Square Shadwell (peak hours only) Tufnell Park Wapping

Mike Strzelecki, safety director for London Underground, said: "We will be able to offer a slightly reduced service to our customers but safety will not be compromised.

"We have clear, well-practiced procedures to deal with fire alerts. But the critical safety factor is to evacuate potential danger areas quickly and calmly.

"However, we have identified a potential risk at deep-level Underground stations served only by lifts.

"We regret any inconvenience these closures cause but the safety of our customers and staff is and always will be our priority."

Troops providing emergency cover in London during the fire strike answered a 999 call five minutes after the strike began.

Two Green Goddess crews were joined by a breathing and rescue team responding to reports of smoke inside an All Bar One pub on Ludgate Hill in the City.