In its response to the Home Office figures, covering the year ending June 2019, the NFCC noted that there has also been a 14% increase in the number of fires, and a 2% increase in the number of overall incidents attended, alongside a 16% increase in deliberate fires. While the increase in fires ‘can be largely attributed’ to a 28% increase in secondary fires ‘due to last year’s hot weather’, false alarms ‘continue to account for the majority’ of incidents attended, at 40%.

Of the remaining number of incidents attended, fires accounted for 32% and non fire incidents 28%, with 268 fire related fatalities marking the aforementioned 6% increase, and 215 fire related fatalities in the last year accounting for the 19% increase. Fire and rescue services (FRSs) attended 182,491 fires, which marked the 14% increase; while 74% of primary dwelling fires were in houses, bungalows, converted flats and other properties, with only 26% in purpose built flats.

With dwelling fires, 17% were in purpose built low rise flats or maisonettes of one to three storeys, while 7% were in medium rise flats of four to nine storeys, and 3% were in high rise flats of 10 storeys or higher. FRSs attended 798 fires in high rises, which marked a 2% decrease compared to the 811 attended in the previous year.

Roy Wilsher, NFCC chair, commented: ‘It is deeply concerning to see this increase in the number of fatalities and fires. While there were no further reductions for fire and rescue services in the most recent government Spending Round, these figures illustrate why we must be resourced effectively; prevent fires, meet our statutory fire protection duties and deal with risk and demand.

‘For more than a decade, we saw a decline in incidents but worryingly, this seems to be reversing. Between 2013 and 2016, this had reduced to around half a million per year but this year this now stands at more than 573,000 incidents. I have written to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to highlight the long term under investment in fire services which has impacted our core roles.

‘NFCC will also continue to press both the Home Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for further investment, particularly in fire protection. The recent findings of the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 1 report, coupled with recommendations from Dame Judith Hackitt’s review into building regulations, will lead to increased pressures on fire services. Therefore, we need to ensure services are given the support to transform to meet any challenges head on, with confidence.’