Poverty, drink and smoking mean Scots twice as likely to die in fires

Published on Monday 2 November 2009 21:23

SCOTS are twice as likely to die in a fire than people living in the rest of the UK, according to a new report.

The study found that, in many instances, smoking, alcohol, deprivation and living alone were major factors in the number of house fires.

It was commissioned by the Scottish Government following a 62 per cent rise in the number of people killed in fires in Scotland between 2006-07 and 2007-08.

The survey showed that of 171 fatal fire incidents analysed over a three-year period, 131 were recorded as accidental house fire deaths. The most common causes were discarded cigarettes (54) and cooking appliances (28). Alcohol was a contributory factor in 81 of the 131 cases

The study group, chaired by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue's chief officer Brian Sweeney, has now made dozens of recommendations aimed at curbing the number of preventable deaths.

It includes the proposal that Scotland support a European standard for "reduced ignition propensity cigarettes", which are less likely to set fire to soft furnishings such as sofas and beds.

The report also recommends that each fire death be investigated by a range of agencies in the same way as drugs fatalities.

The Scottish Community Fire Safety Study, the most detailed ever undertaken, found that 47 per cent of fire victims were 60 or over and 53 per cent lived alone. Victims were more likely to live in the poorest parts of Scotland, with 31 per cent of accidental house fires occurring in the 15 per cent most deprived areas of the country.

The poorest areas also suffer some 46 per cent of "secondary" fires, mainly started deliberately. The study said such fires leave "visible scars" which "blight" communities and encourage other forms of antisocial behaviour.

Mr Sweeney said: "The report provides 37 recommendations which will assist in driving down the number of people killed by fire.

"The extensive research conducted is unique to Scotland and examines the underlying reasons for the number of people killed by fire. This report cannot, and must not, lie on a shelf if Scotland is to tackle this issue."

The report also calls for a better sharing of information between local authorities' social work, housing and health departments and the fire service.

It recommends that a special unit be set up to co-ordinate delivery of community safety by the different agencies.

A "sprinkler challenge" was also included in the recommendations, to assess how Scotland can develop an affordable domestic sprinkler system.

Community safety minister Fergus Ewing, who commissioned the study a year ago, said: "The report contains a number of interesting proposals, and clearly demonstrates the need for an effective multi-agency approach, to both target the root-cause of fires and deliver preventative solutions.

"All proposals will be given full consideration."

The report will be debated in the Scottish Parliament on 12 November, Mr Ewing added.

Brian Fraser, head of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Advisory Unit, said: "It is clear that fire and rescue service staff across Scotland need to work together in a joined-up way, sharing resources, information and ideas, as well as with the Scottish Government and other agencies."