Written question asked by Simon Hughes (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 11 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 January 2001. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Thursday, 25 January 2001 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total number of fire-related deaths in the home was in each of the last five years; what the total number of reported fires was in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. - Includes table.

Answer: Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total number of fire- related deaths in the home was in each of the last five years; what the total number of reported fires was in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [145715] Mr. Mike O'Brien: The information contained in the table, relates to fires attended by local authority fire brigades in the United Kingdom. Number of fires{ 1} and fire-related deaths--1995 to 1999 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. United Kingdom 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999{ 1} Total fire deaths 736 709 723 668 663 of which: dwellings 559 564 562 519 466 Total fires{2} 604,200 532,300 469,000 409,700 467,900 of which: dwellings 68,700 71,700 72,500 71,100 72,100 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} 1999 data for fires attended are provisional. Figures for fire-related deaths have been estimated to account for revisions expected due to further information becoming available from inquests and death certificates etc. {2} Consists of primary (property and/or involving casualties), secondary (mainly outdoors not involving property) and chimney fires.

Secondary information