Fire fatalities at home hit five year high in Highlands
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The number of deaths due to accidental house fires is at its highest level in the Highlands for the last five years, with three recorded in 2021/2022.
Meanwhile reports of false alarms are now also at their highest during the same period, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has said in its six monthly performance report.
It says this may be down to an increase in tourism following the pandemic.
Local senior officer (LSO) Derek Wilson delivered the update ahead of the report going before Highland Council members next week.
The performance report also shows that accidental dwelling fires across the region are at the second highest level in five years within the six month reporting period.
These levels, similar to pre-pandemic levels, are reflected across Scotland.
Mr Wilson said: “The number of accidental dwelling fires has increased by 10 per cent when compared to the same period in the previous year.
“The reasons for the reversal in the long term trend are difficult to identify, and may be affected by changes in behaviour and activity as society has moved towards living with the pandemic.
“This unwelcome increase has tragically resulted in three fire fatalities in Highland within the six month reporting period of October 2021 to March 2022.
“During the reporting period the number of non-fatal dwelling fire casualties has increased slightly in comparison to the previous year, however remains considerably lower than the 2019/20 peak.
“This however identifies an increase over pre-pandemic levels.
“We will continue to adopt a proactive approach and work with partner agencies to identify and support those members of our communities who are most at risk and in need of our help.”
The first six months of the year figures show that crews attended a total of 80 accidental dwelling fires.
Of that number the most common source of ignition was cooking appliances, which were cited in 34 per cent of cases.
And the most common room for a fire to start in was the kitchen, which was at the centre of 43 per cent of incidents.
The most common item being first ignited was food which was involved in 21 per cent of incidents.
Deliberate fires are also on the increase.
Mr Wilson said: “There has been a slight increase in the overall number of deliberate fires (83) in comparison to the previous four years.
“The majority of the reported numbers of deliberate fires in Highland are generally wildfires, primarily due to seasonal weather trends.
“However behavioural changes in tourism following lockdown have resulted in an increase in ‘dirty camping’ and use of campfires in areas, and in numbers not previously experienced nationally.”
Meanwhile the number of road traffic collisions attended by firefighters in Highlands during the reporting period is at the third lowest level across the five year period.
Two fatalities were reported in the period covered by the latest report.
Mr Wilson said: “This is welcome given the increase in tourism travel witnessed across Highland.”
