LONDON (AP) -- The pay dispute between Britain's firefighters and the government grew increasingly acrimonious Tuesday as lawmakers accused strikers of draining military resources during a critical time.
Soldiers have been forced to cover for the nation's 55,000 firefighter during the 24-hour walkout, placing further pressure on the armed forces, after the government announced 35,000 troops were being sent to the Gulf to prepare for a possible war with Iraq.
``If they want to fight a war on two fronts, that's up to them,'' said firefighter Andy Baldoch, as he acknowledged the supportive horn-blowing of drivers passing his picket line in south London. ``We have the support of the public to earn a fair wage.''
By Tuesday afternoon, only one serious blaze was reported _ an elderly man died in a house fire in Scotland. Police said soldiers responded quickly but were unable to force entry into the house.
At 6 p.m., British Broadcasting Corp. TV showed embarrassing footage of striking firefighters putting out a small blaze that began at their station when a metal drum fire got out of control.
The firefighters are demanding a 40 percent raise and rejecting an offer of 11 percent pay increase along with changes in their working conditions.
The government said the soldiers were well-equipped to take over from the firefighters, as they did in two earlier weeklong strikes in November, but criticized the Fire Brigades Union for the timing of the latest walkout.
``I believe they could be more responsible by getting round a negotiating table and finding a solution to what they believe to be their grievances over pay and conditions,'' said Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram. ``There is no question that having to deploy in the numbers we are deploying ... puts a particular pressure on the armed forces.''
Britain announced on Monday that it was sending 26,000 troops _ a quarter of the army _ to the Persian Gulf to prepare for a possible confrontation with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Bernard Jenkin, defense spokesman for the main opposition Conservative Party, urged Prime Minister Tony Blair to use his emergency powers to outlaw the walkout.
``The firefighters are great people, but the FBU leaders are a bunch of idiots. They are ignoring the disruption they are causing to the forces' preparation for action in the Gulf,'' Jenkin said.
Firefighters have rejected an offer by local authorities of an 11 percent raise over two years in return for wide-ranging reforms of working practices, claiming the package would cost 4,500 jobs. The government says the fire service must modernize and become more efficient.
Andy Gilchrist, the union leader, called Jenkin's comments inflammatory and said they angered firefighters who are striking to retain the current standard of the fire service as well as over pay issues.
``We do not see this action as a win or lose situation. Our argument is that professional firefighters deserve professional pay,'' Gilchrist said.
The firefighters refused to continue negotiations earlier this week, saying the local authority employers were setting preconditions on any talks.
The firefighters are campaigning for a 40 percent pay raise, which would bring the annual salary of a fully qualified firefighter to $48,000 _ although it has hinted it might be prepared to drop its pay demand to 16 percent.
The government says agreeing to such a large pay claim would open the way to huge increases for all government workers and wreck the country's finances. November's strikes became increasingly bitter, with Blair and union leaders accusing each other of playing politics with public safety.
