By Gráinne Connolly
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has revealed that in 2017/18, 4 people lost their lives in accidental house fires in Northern Ireland.
This represents a record low and a 56% reduction from 9 fatalities the previous year.
Whilst cautiously welcoming the reduction in deaths, NIFRS warns that there is no room for complacency.
During the same period the number of accidental house fires in Northern Ireland increased by 8.5% from 826 in 2016/17 to 896.
Alan Walmsley, Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Prevention & Protection has been explaining to Q Radio:
Mr Walmsley has also been explaining the main causes of fires in the home and preventative measures that can be taken:
Below is the statistics for the number of accidental house fires across Northern Ireland:
|
Year |
No of Accidental House Fires |
No of Fatalities in Accidental House Fires |
|
2017 -18 |
896 |
4 |
|
2016 -17 |
826 |
9 |
|
2015-16 |
843 |
12 |
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