A strike by Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members in Essex has ended without a major incident taking place.
Industrial action took place for four hours today, from 10am to 2pm.
During this time, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) was called to six false alarms, three road accidents and one incident where rubbish was alight.
A spokesman said: "Working crews have attended emergency calls to Broomfield Hospital and Columbus School, Chelmsford, Town Square, Basildon, Basildon Hospital, a care home for the elderly in Saffron Walden and a school in Mayes Lane, Ramsey.
"All but one were the result of automatic fire alarms and no action was required by firefighters."
Crews used two backpack sprayers to put out a deliberate rubbish fire in Waltham Abbey at 11.45am.
The strike was held to protest against proposed Government pension reforms.
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