Fire and Rescue Services attend 300,000-plus deliberate fires since 2019

Figures obtained by Public Interest Lawyers through Freedom of Information requests find that the Fire and Rescue Services across the country have attended 923,933 primary and secondary fires over the past five years, with around 35% of them being deliberate fires.

Primary fires are potentially more serious fires that cause harm to people or damage to property. Secondary fires are generally small outdoor fires, not involving people or property, and these include refuse fires, grassland fires and fires occurring in derelict buildings or vehicles.

In 2019-2020, Fire and Rescue Services attended 185,483 primary and secondary fires, which was the third highest number of fires over the past five years. 12 months later, this number decreased to 181,069, caused by restrictions and lockdowns during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the past year, the Fire and Rescue Service has experienced a drop in primary and secondary fires, with the total standing at 165,153. Effective fire prevention campaigns, increased community awareness, and favourable weather conditions have contributed to this positive decrease.

Notably, the decrease in secondary fires and outdoor primary fires marks the smallest number of fires attended since records began.

Deliberate fires

Despite this positive drop in fires across the UK, a worrying percentage of these incidents are deliberate fires, which can lead to injuries and fatalities. Deliberately set fires are dangerous and, of course, a criminal offence. They waste time and money and keep fire crews away from real emergencies.

These deliberately set fires commonly include those set in bins, skips, fly-tipped waste and derelict buildings and on dry grass and heathland. Victims of deliberate fires may lose all their property, be made homeless or otherwise be seriously injured.

Public Interest Lawyers also obtained figures on the number of injuries caused by deliberate fires across the UK.

Since 2019, Fire and Rescue Services have recorded 3,659 deliberate fire injuries, with the highest annual total, specifically 790, in 2019-2020. While the impact of lockdowns in 2021 will have depressed the number of deliberate cases, the figures show that not only is arson the leading single cause of these fires, but also highlights the extent to which the increasing threat of arson must be taken seriously.

Most fire incidents

Based on figures gathered from Fire and Rescue Services around the country, those that have logged the most fire incidents since 2019 have been revealed.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue logged the most fires with 29,715, with West Yorkshire, Northern Ireland and South Yorkshire also witnessing over 20,000 incidents take place.

Essex County, Hertfordshire and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Services did not provide fire incident data within the stated 20 working days.

The impact of arson is not just financial. It can also significantly affect emotional well-being and sense of security.

*Further information is available online at https://www.publicinterestlawyers.co.uk/criminal-injuries-compensation-claims/research-statistics-fire-incidents-and-injuries-in-the-uk/