Written question asked by John McDonnell (Labour) on Thursday, 9 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 March 2006. It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 March 2006 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Fires

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) accidental dwelling fires started by cigarette lighters by (i) children under the age of nine years, (ii) youths aged 10 to 17 years, (iii) adults of 18 plus years and (iv) other of unspecified age and (b) related casualties there were in (A) 2004 and (B)2005.

Answer

The following table shows the data for financial years 2003–04 and 2004–05 in England. Data for calendar year 2005 are not available yet.

Accidental dwelling fires started by cigarette lighters and related casualties by firestarter group, England, 2003–04 and 2004–05
	2003–04				2004–05
	Fires	Fatal casualties	Nonfatal casualties	Fires	Fatal casualties	Nonfatal casualties
Total	468	11	244	350	9	195
Child (0–9 years)	339	5	203	225	6	136
Youth (10–17 years)	45	0	13	28	0	10
Adult (18 years and over)	59	5	23	90	3	45
Other	13	0	0	6	0	3
Unknown	11	1	5	2	0	1
Source: Fire and Rescue Service FDR1 returns to ODPM.
⁽⁵⁶⁾Data for 2005 are provisional

Secondary information