A stark warning about the risks of taking shortcuts in an attempt to save fuel costs has been given by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Group Commander David Girrity told a meeting of the Midlothian Police, Fire and Rescue Board that fires in homes will increase as the cost-of-living crisis hits households, according to the Edinburgh Evening News.
He said: “The poverty of fuel, I can see that exacerbating the issues in relation to people who are vulnerable to fire. I can see that being more prevalent over the next few months and that is something that we are working as an organisation to reduce, to advise people and we will be reacting to it as well.
“I think it is something that we all know is going to be falling out of fuel poverty and other poverty, that potential incidences of crime and fire setting and fires in the home could increase, so we need to keep a close eye on that one.”
The board was told that in the three months from April to June this year, there had been 10 accidental fires in Midlothian – nine in single person accommodation. Nine of the fires were confined to the room of origin, limited to the first item ignited or had no fire damage. A report said: “It is clear from this evidence to continue to target those mostly at risk in single occupancy households, and to ensure those properties have working smoke detection.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson told F&RM: “We constantly monitor fire safety trends across Scotland and the rest of the UK, to allow the service and partners to target advice to the public through media campaigns and community engagement.
“We exchange information and expertise through the National Fire Chiefs Council and are aware of the potential risk for an increase in accidental dwelling fires as result of the cost-of-living crisis. We will continue to issue and deliver seasonal safety advice ahead of this winter, with a particular focus on fire-related home safety.”