In an emergency call 999
For general enquiries call 01158388100
Monday - Friday -

NFRS 2024 36 - Electrical fires

You asked for

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act, can you please provide the following:

  1. How many electrical fires has the service responded to in the last three years(between April 6 – April 5 for 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24)?
    1. Of these, how many incidents were in domestic properties and how many commercial? Broken down by year.
    2. Of these incidents, how many were caused by electrical products? What were the other causes?
    3. What were the 5 most common products to cause electrical fires for each year?
  2. How many fatalities has the service recorded as a result of electrical fires in the last three years (between April 6 – April 5 for 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24)
    1. How many injuries (serious and slight) has the service recorded as a result of electrical fires during the same period? Can this be presented in PDF format?

Our Response:

  1. How many electrical fires has the service responded to in the last three years (between April 6 – April 5 for 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24)?
    1. Of these, how many incidents were in domestic properties and how many commercial? Broken down by year.
      Building Type 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 Grand Total
      Building 10 13 14 37
      Commercial 35 41 30 106
      Domestic 142 133 139 414
      Hospital 10 3 3 16
      Other 1 1 2
      Outbuilding 2 1 3
      Prison 1 1 2
      Grand Total 197 194 189 580
    2. Of these incidents, how many were caused by electrical products? What were the other causes?
      Incident Cause 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 Grand Total
      Fault in equipment or appliance 79 71 63 213
      Faulty leads to equipment or appliance 9 4 10 23
      Negligent use of equipment or appliance (heat source) 6 4 6 16
      Grand Total 93 79 79 252
    3. What were the 5 most common products to cause electrical fires for each year?
      Answer: - The 5 most common products to cause electrical fires are the same across each year.
      • Extractor fan
      • Dishwasher
      • Refrigerator
      • Tumble dryer
      • Washing machine

      Please be advised that it isn’t a mandatory requirement to record the product type and therefore the data provided is where it has been recorded and not an accurate reflection of electrical fire causes.

  2. How many fatalities has the service recorded as a result of electrical fires in the last three years (between April 6 – April 5 for 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24)
    1. How many injuries (serious and slight) has the service recorded as a result of electrical fires during the same period?
      Answer: -
      Time Period Total Casualties Total Fatal
      2021/22 10
      2022/23 7
      2023/24 6 0
      Grand Total 23 0