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Fire fatalities up 62 per cent
28/10/2008
The 2007-08 Annual Report from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services was published today.
It shows that the number of fatalities from fire was 73 people, an increase of 62 per cent on the total of 45 for the previous year.
Injuries from fires in Scotland rose to 1547 compared to 1453 in the previous year, a rise of 6 per cent.
Tragically three Firefighters lost their lives while carrying out their duties during 2007-08.
The other main findings of the report are:
- Attacks on Firefighters in Scotland have decreased by 17 per cent from 275 to 228. There is however an increasing number of attacks being reported on Non-Operational Personnel
- The number of accidents occurring to Operational Personnel has decreased from 668 to 629 a reduction of 5.8 per cent however this must be viewed against the background of the tragic loss of life of three Firefighters in the course of their duties
- The Scottish Fire and Rescue Services continued to improve attendance levels for Operational Personnel with an improvement of almost 11 per cent over the previous year
- Overall there has been a reduction of 3 per cent in the operational activities of Fire and Rescue Services in Scotland
Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services Keith MacGillivray said:
"The Fire and Rescue Services in Scotland continue to perform well particularly targeting fire reduction in communities. Their continuing efforts to work in partnership to address this problem has resulted in an overall reduction in fire activity.
"However despite concerted efforts of Fire and Rescue Services the number of fatal fire incidents in Scotland has risen dramatically against the previous year's trend.
"The highest identifiable cause of fire in fatal incidents remains smoking materials followed by cooking and the living room remains the most common room for fatal fire incidents to occur in followed by the kitchen. In 63 per cent of fatal fires in dwelling houses the deceased was living alone and alcohol was a contributory factor in more than 41 per cent of fatal dwelling house fires.
"Again Fire and Rescue Services are reporting an increasing number of fatal fire incidents in houses where the smoke alarm failed to function, there was also an increase in the number of fatal fires in houses with no smoke alarm fitted.
"Excellent work by Fire and Rescue Services to promote the fitting and maintenance of smoke alarms has seen ownership levels increase. National advertising to encourage people to have an escape plan supports their efforts. This work must continue until all homes have a working smoke alarm, and all residents have an effective plan to deal with fire.
"However, tragically 13 persons lost their lives in house fires where the smoke alarm had functioned properly. The same number as in 2006/2007.
"This tragic loss of life due to fire in Scotland cannot be allowed to increase any further. It is clear that action must be taken to help those who cannot help themselves in the event of fire, in many cases the deceased has been unable to react to the smoke alarm due to drink, drugs, medication or medical infirmity.
"It is in these scenarios where there is clear evidence of problems which may affect the occupant's ability to respond that the use of automatic fire sprinklers should be encouraged.
"In almost all cases where a fatal fire occurred in a dwelling house, had the house been fitted with an automatic sprinkler system then the death would have been prevented. All fire and rescue services in Scotland are actively promoting the use of systems for houses and Angus Council have become the first council in Scotland to provide all new social housing in their area with automatic fire sprinklers from 2009.
"Attacks on Fire and Rescue Personnel in Scotland continued to fall. However, while this drop is welcomed, any attack on Fire and Rescue Personnel is unacceptable."
This is the last report of Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate for Scotland. As a result of a review, the Scottish Government announced on January 30, 2008 that the Inspectorate was to be replaced by an independent advisory unit.