Accidental House Fires Killed Four People In NI This Year - Figures

Four people have died in accidental house fires, according to figures from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Services (NIFRS).

The figures are a 43% reduction compared to last year, however the NIFRS said it is still four too many.

The statistics were revealed for the launch of North South Fire Safety Week 2016, which runs from Monday 03 to Sunday 09 October.

NIFRS attended over 2,500 accidental house fires in the last three years. Over 70% of the fires were caused by either cooking or cooking appliances (39%), electricity supply or other electrical appliances (26%) and smoking or smoking related materials (8%).

In the past three years, 28 people have tragically lost their lives in accidental house fires.

Alan Walmsley, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said: "This Fire Safety Week we really are getting back to basics and looking at the hard cold facts of the top three causes of accidental fires in the home. We want to reach a stage in Northern Ireland where no one loses their lives due to accidental house fires and reducing the risk of a fire occurring in the first instance will ultimately help us achieve this goal.

"Cookers, ovens, hotplates, grill pans, deep fat fryers, microwaves and toasters, all commonly used appliances, have accounted for the highest cause of accidental house fires in the last three years. Similarly electrics, such as the mains supply, lighting and cables along with other appliances like washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers are the second biggest cause.

"Regardless of the cause, the majority of accidental fires in the home can be avoided with the correct fire safety precautions and preventions in place and I’m urging householders to use this week as an opportunity to revisit their fire safety to help 'STOP Fire'.

"Life is busy however we all have a responsibility to do everything we can to protect ourselves from fire. This Fire Safety Week we are aiming to empower people and refresh their fire safety habits to ensure they are doing everything they can to 'STOP Fire' in their home."

(CD)