The return to an increase in deaths from fire in the UK has been confirmed with the publication of the latest CLG fire statistics monitor. In the 12 months to 30 June 2008, UK fire deaths rose by 5 per cent to 476, contrary to the previous longterm downward trend.
The number of actual fires, however, continues to fall. Primary fires were down 11% to 137,000 with dwelling fires down 6% to 51,000, the lowest figure since 1977. Fires in commercial and other buildings are also down by 10% to 29,000.
The drop in the number of fires is reflected by a reduction in attendances by fire and rescue services. They attended 773,000 fire and false alarm incidents in the period – down 11% on the previous 12 months. Of these, false alarms accounted for 410,000, down 7%. There was a 16% fall to 28,000 in malicious false alarms and a 6% fall (267,000) in false alarms due to apparatus.
