This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Fire Statistics 2001
29/05/2003
Statistics published today reveal that in Scotland there
were a total of 103 fatal casualties in 2001 - an increase
on the figures from 2000 of 28 fatal casualties or 37 per
cent but still just under the number in 1999. In comparison
to the other UK countries, Scotland reported both the
highest number of fatal casualties per million population
and the highest rate of non-fatal casualties (to those not
working for fire brigades) per million population.
Fire Statistics Scotland, 2001 presents detailed data
on fires for the eight Scottish fire brigades and provides
a detailed overview of Scottish fire statistics over the
past decade.
Other main findings include:
There were 59,400 total fires (primary, secondary and
chimney) in Scotland in 2001, an increase of 7 per cent on
the 55,700 fires recorded in 2000.
Around one-third of all fires were primary fires.
Sixty-five per cent of primary fires were in buildings, 29
per cent were road vehicle fires and the remaining primary
fires were other outdoors fires. Just over three-fifths of
all fires were secondary fires and the remaining 6 per cent
were chimney fires.
Since 2000, primary fires have fallen by 2 per cent,
whilst secondary fires have risen by 12 per cent and
chimney fires increased by 10 per cent in 2001.
Over the past decade total Scottish secondary fires have
risen by 55 per cent. The principal categories of secondary
fires that this rise can be attributed to are an increase
in grassland & heathland fires and an increase in
refuse fires.
The principal cause of fatal casualties was being
overcome by gas and smoke (42 fatal casualties). 31 fatal
casualties were caused by a combination of burns and being
overcome by smoke and 22 fatal casualties were caused by
burns alone. 88 fatal casualties (85 per cent) occurred in
dwellings fires and 12 (12 per cent) occurred in road
vehicles.
The number of non-fatal casualties in Scotland in 2001
was 2,091, a decrease of 8 per cent compared with 2000. Of
these non-fatal casualties; 1,799 occurred in dwellings
fires (86 per cent), 171 (8 per cent) occurred in other
buildings and 71 (3 per cent) occurred in road
vehicles.
In the years since 1994, the majority of fatal
casualties have occurred in dwellings fires where either
the smoke detector was present but failed to operate or in
dwellings fires where a smoke detector was absent.
There were 8,806 malicious primary fires in 2001,
representing 45 per cent of total primary fires in 2001 -
the highest percentage of primary fires in the last 10
years. However accidental fires have caused significantly
more fatal and non-fatal casualties over the decade.
In 2001, total fire false alarms in Scotland constituted
53,800 incidents, representing just under half (48 per
cent) of total call outs to fires (primary, secondary and
chimney) and false fire alarms.
In 2001, the majority of fatal and non-fatal casualties
generally occur from early afternoon through to early
morning (approx. 3pm to 2am) which is similar to the
majority of call outs to fires.
Data for the eight Scottish fire brigades have been
collated and reported by the Scottish Executive in the form
of a dedicated Scottish fire statistics bulletin. This new
bulletin is intended to provide a detailed overview of
Scottish fire statistics over the past decade, at brigade
and Scotland level with comparison to the other UK
regions.
"Location" is a term used in the statistical collection
to denote a combination of the type of fire ("primary",
"secondary" and "chimney") and the type of premises,
property or countryside in which the fire started.
This is explained below in more detail;
Primary fires: If a fire involves a casualty or rescue
or is attended by five or more appliances then it is
classed as a primary fire, regardless of its actual
physical location. However a fire may also be classed as
primary if it occurs in any of the following types of
premises or property: buildings (not derelict, not under
demolition); caravans; vehicles and other methods or
transport (not derelict); outdoor storage, plant and
machinery or agricultural or forestry premises and
property.
Secondary fires: Always involve no casualties or rescues
and are attended by four or fewer appliances. A fire is
also not classed as secondary if it is a chimney fire
(defined below).
Chimney fires: Always involve no casualties or rescues
and are attended by four or fewer appliances. They only
occur in occupied buildings where the fire was contained
within the chimney structure.
National statistics are produced to high professional
standards set out in the National Statistics Code of
Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to
ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced
free from any political interference.