LONDON - London firefighters who have threatened to go on strike on Britain's Bonfire Night say they have agreed to negotiate with fire services to avert a walk-out.

Britons traditionally celebrate the failure of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot by lighting fireworks and bonfires in their gardens and public parks on the evening of Nov. 5.

The Fire Brigades Union had said its members would walk out from Nov. 5 to Nov. 7, which is one of the fire service's busiest periods, over an escalating dispute over new contracts.

Prime Minister David Cameron's office called the threat of strike "irresponsible." A debate on the subject was held in Parliament Tuesday.

Both the union and the London Fire Brigade said they will attend the Wednesday talks.

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