Thousands of striking firefighters have been accused of threatening and intimidating contingency staff covering their shifts.

Fire brigade officials said staff were followed and threatened on replacement fire engines. Barricades were apparently placed across at least one station entrance preventing engines from getting in and out.

One of AssetCo's vehicles was damaged in a hit and run with three motorbikes, union members claimed.

27 out of London's 169 fire engines were in service today in "strategic areas" after crews walkout at 10.00 BST this morning for eight hours in a shift row.

Today’s strike is the first involving contracted "scabs" according to the union.

They accuse Brian Coleman, Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, of signing off a five year £9m deal with private firm AssetCo to "break the strike".

The contract was initially seen as a contingency measure in the event of severe pandemic illness, industrial action, natural disaster or catastrophic incident.

FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack said the brigade's claims were "completely untrue", adding: "Their contingency plans are a fiasco because of poor training and inadequate planning."

A LFB spokesman said:

"The Brigade's contingency plan has been rolled out on schedule.

All 162 contract staff providing the fire and rescue service in the capital today were deployed by 9am.

During the day, 27 fire engines will provide the service, and throughout the day we will be reviewing our resources based on staff not taking part in the strike action".

'Gun to the head'

Fire chiefs have been accused of putting a loaded gun to the heads of its members telling them to accept the 
deal or be sacked.

The Fire Brigade have promised to respond to 999 calls but will not attend gas leak call outs- a second strike is planned for November 1.

Staff currently work nine-hour day shifts and 15-hour nights, but the brigade has offered firefighters 13-hour days and 11-hour night shifts.

Coleman said:

"This action is based on suggested cuts, but there are no cuts."

Wrack said "London's firefighters feel it is the only step they can now take."

LFB said contingency plans would provide fire cover for every area of the city but admitted a fire engine may not be sent to less urgent incidents which include:

Rubbish fires, fires on open ground, large animal rescues, flooding, people stuck in lifts and gas leaks.

London Fire Brigade say the skeleton crew can respond to:

Fires in people's homes, vehicle fires, road accidents and collapsed buildings.