HC Deb 20 January 2003 vol 398 cc166-7W
Adam Price

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many deaths there were due to fires in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years between(a) 10.00 pm and 6.00 am, (b) 6.00 am and 2.00 pm and (c) 2.00 pm and 10.00 pm. [91895]

Mr. Raynsford

The latest data for the information requested on the number of deaths due to fires in the United Kingdom broken down by the times requested are in the following tables.

These data indicate the importance of fire prevention. The Government believe that each household should have a properly considered escape plan and working smoke alarms; this is key to reducing deaths and injuries while people sleep.

Primary fires1 and deaths, UK 1997–2001
Yearly totals
Number
Fires Deaths Death rate per 1,000 fires
1997 200559 723 3.6
1998 199928 656 3.3
1999 218404 623 2.9
20003 219535 623 2.8
20004 - 595 -
20013 228136 627 2.7
20014 - 606 -

Emergency call received between 10 pm and 6 am2
Number Proportion of yearly total (Percentage)
Fires Deaths Fires Deaths Death rate per 1,000.fires
1997 58855 283 29 39 4.8
1998 60089 246 30 38 4.1
1999 67957 207 31 33 3.0
20003 70076 237 32 38 3.4
20004 - - - - -
20013 73753 226 32 36 3.1
20014 - - - - -

Emergency call received between 2 pm and 10 pm2
Number Proportion of yearly total (Percentage)
Fires Deaths Fires Deaths Death rate per 1,000 fires
1997 92455 205 46 28 2.2
1998 92519 192 46 29 2.1
1999 101109 199 46 32 2.0
20003 101616 191 46 31 1.9
20004 - - - - -
20013 105396 215 46 34 2.0
20014 - - - -
1A primary fire is any fire in a building or vehicle and/or a fire which involved casualties or rescues.
2 The time of the fire is denoted as the time the emergency call was received by the local authority fire brigade.
3 Provisional
4 The 2000 and 2001 data for fatalities are estimated to account for the revisions as later information is received. Calculations are based on the provisional total of deaths.