Scottish ministers have ordered an urgent inquiry to examine how to reduce deaths and injuries from fire, following the publication of a dramatic increase in fatalities. Deaths from fire in Scotland rose by almost two-thirds in 2007-2008 compared to the previous year, figures from the Scottish Chief Inspector of Fire Services show.
The number of fatalities was 73, an increase of 62% on a total of 45 people for the previous year. Injuries in Scotland also rose, standing at 1547 compared to 1453 previously, a rise of 6%. Three firefighters also died while carrying out their duties.
The largest cause of fire in these fatal incidents remains smoking materials, followed by cooking. In 63% of fatal fires in houses, the deceased was living alone and alcohol was a contributory factor in more than 41% of them.
“This tragic loss of life due to fire in Scotland cannot be allowed to increase any further,” said Keth MacGillivray, HM chief inspector of fire services. “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.”
He went on to disclose that Scottish fire and rescue services were reporting an increasing number of fatal fires in houses where the smoke alarm failed to function, or where there was no smoke alarm fitted.
Even in houses with working smoke alarms, 13 people lost their lives, the same number as in 2006/7. “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,” said Mr MacGillivray.” “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.”
Mr MacGillivray commended the work of Angus Council which is to fit sprinkler systems in all new social housing from next year.
Fire deaths in the UK as a whole have been steadily declining over recent years, although stayed at 491 in 2006, the same level as in 2005. It remains to be seen what effect the latest Scottish figures will have on the UK as a whole.
Scottish ministers have ordered an urgent inquiry to examine how to reduce deaths and injuries from fire, following the publication of a dramatic increase in fatalities. Deaths from fire in Scotland rose by almost two-thirds in 2007-2008 compared to the previous year, figures from the Scottish Chief Inspector of Fire Services show.
The number of fatalities was 73, an increase of 62% on a total of 45 people for the previous year. Injuries in Scotland also rose, standing at 1547 compared to 1453 previously, a rise of 6%. Three firefighters also died while carrying out their duties.
The largest cause of fire in these fatal incidents remains smoking materials, followed by cooking. In 63% of fatal fires in houses, the deceased was living alone and alcohol was a contributory factor in more than 41% of them.
"This tragic loss of life due to fire in Scotland cannot be allowed to increase any further," said Keth MacGillivray, HM chief inspector of fire services. "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."
He went on to disclose that Scottish fire and rescue services were reporting an increasing number of fatal fires in houses where the smoke alarm failed to function, or where there was no smoke alarm fitted.
Even in houses with working smoke alarms, 13 people lost their lives, the same number as in 2006/7. "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," said Mr MacGillivray." "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."
Mr MacGillivray commended the work of Angus Council which is to fit sprinkler systems in all new social housing from next year.
Fire deaths in the UK as a whole have been steadily declining over recent years, although stayed at 491 in 2006, the same level as in 2005. It remains to be seen what effect the latest Scottish figures will have on the UK as a whole.
