A MAN was injured while trying to fight a blaze in Cleckheaton 14 hours into the latest strike by firefighters.

Crews providing temporary cover for striking firefighters were called to a compound on Whitehall Road just before 11pm on Tuesday where a road sweeper was on fire.

The owner of the machine was injured while trying to fight the fire himself. Contingency crews attended and put the flames out, before providing first aid.

Five appliances were also sent to a barn fire, at Fishbeck Lane in Silsden, at about 9.15pm.

Crew members, including non-striking staff and so-called community response operatives, managed to stop the fire spreading to nearby farm buildings. No-one was injured. and no animals were affected, said a fire service spokesman.

The incident came five hours after a temporary crew had dealt with a chimney fire, also in Silsden, and swings on fire in Horton Park Avenue, Bradford.

Contingency crews were called to 50 incidents during the 24-hour industrial action, which finished at 9amyesterday.

Fire Brigades Union members walked out in an ongoing row over pensions.

Crews were also called to a false alarm at Bradford’s Alhambra theatre at 1.35pm, as well as false alarms in Girlington Road, Bradford, Chapel Allerton, Otley, and Birstall throughout the strike period.