LIVES are being put at risk due to a lack of firefighting resources, union chiefs said this week as they demanded a funding boost from the government.

The London branch of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has spoken out after a record number of fires in the capital and wildfires across the country this summer which have pushed the service to breaking point.

Fire engines from stations including those in Islington have been sent to help out at the recent wildfires across the country – diverting services away from the capital.

Jon Lambe, FBU London regional secretary, said: “We do not have enough firefighters, fire appliances, PPE or adequate levels of firefighting equipment to make Londoners as safe as possible.

“London’s firefighters and fire engines are often removed from the capital by other Fire and Rescue Services who are themselves short on firefighting capacity, to assist in combating wildfires and other emergencies.

“This drain on our resources, means poorer response times, and even when crews attend emergencies, there simply are not enough resources to fight fires effectively.”

He added: “There can be no delay, the time for action in our capital has reached a critical point.”