POPULAR fireworks displays in Hammersmith & Fulham will still go ahead despite firefighters announcing a 47-hour strike on Bonfire Night.
Crews will walk out between 10am on November 5 and 9am on November 7 in a row with bosses over working conditions and shift patterns.
Talks to call off the strike broke down this week.
H&F Council has described the decision by the Fire Brigades Union as 'cynical and reckless' but vowed to do all they can to keep their events on.
Thousands of families will be planning to flock to Bishops Park, in Stevenage Road, Fulham, on Friday (5/11) for a large display and to Ravenscourt Park, in Ravenscourt Road, the following night.
Councillor Greg Smith, H&F cabinet member for residents' services, said: "Union plans to strike on bonfire night are a cynical and reckless ploy to cause maximum disruption to Londoners.
"We all appreciate the huge risks that firemen and women take in their everyday work but during this age of austerity, when we are all feeling the pinch, this is a highly provocative move.
"Nevertheless, the council is continuing to plan for its two hugely popular firework celebrations.
"However, safety is paramount and we will need to keep our arrangements under review in the light of the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU) announcement."
London Fire Brigade (LFB) figures for the last three years show that on Bonfire Night they receive and attend twice as many calls as the average day.
The number of secondary fires, which include out of control bonfires, are five times higher than normal and that fireworks cause around 20 more serious fires.
Brian Coleman, London Fire Authority chairman, said: “We had asked for a meeting with national negotiators on November 5, and the union have responded with a strike.
"The message to the FBU is short and simple. Call the strike off and talk."
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: "We do not want to take this action but we have no choice."
The first of the two strikes saw firefighters picketing at Hammersmith Fire Station on Saturday during an initial eight-hour strike across the capital.
LFB said all of their reserve workers and 27 fire engines were followed and threatened by striking crews.
London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said: “The most disappointing aspect of the day was that the people responding to calls, because of this strike, have had to suffer abuse, violence and harassment as they tried to access fire stations or attend incidents."
But a borough fireman, who asked not to be named, said: "No-one in any our pickets did anything like that. I heard it was happening elsewhere but we certainly did not.
"It is obviously controversial to strike on November 5 but we have to take a stand."
