Alcohol and drugs lead to one in seven house fires

ALCOHOL and drug misuse were linked to at least one in seven house fires in Scotland last year, according to a new Scottish Government report.

The report by Scotland’s Chief Statistician has revealed that there were a total of 38,927 fires in Scotland last year, including 6,336 blazes in domestic properties.

The total death toll was 47 – 33 males and 14 females – down 20 per cent on the previous year’s total.

According to the report, the most common source of ignition for accidental house fires in which someone died were cigarettes and matches, accounting for 15 of the fatal fires. Domestic appliances accounted for 54 per cent of the non-fatal fires.

But the report also reveals that alcohol or drugs were a factor in 835 of the 5,254 housefires in Scotland classified as accidental, leading to a total of 11 deaths.

Community safety minister Roseanna Cunningham said the new statistics should serve as a warning to the public about the risks of house fires, and pledged that the Scottish Government would be actively monitoring the situation.

She said: “We now know that alcohol or drugs were suspected to have been a factor in at least one in seven accidental house fire. We will continue to monitor this figure very carefully in future.

“Although other key figures in this publication indicate an improving awareness of the danger of fire in our homes, this underlines that a link remains between alcohol, drug use and fire. We all want our communities to be safe from fire, especially as we prepare to enter the festive period.

“We also urge you to get a smoke alarm and check it regularly to ensure it is in working order. Alarms really do save lives.”

Murdo Fraser, the Scottish Conservatives’ health spokesman, also voiced his concerns about the revelation that no fire alarm had been present in almost half the house fires in Scotland.

He said: “It is concerning that in nearly half of overall house fires there was either no smoke alarm, or one that didn’t work.

“Early detection of fires would not only see a drop in the number of fatalities, but also the number of casualties of fires. When smoke alarms can be installed and maintained so easily, it is important that they are used in every home.

“The current number of deaths and injuries caused by fires is far too high and the Scottish Government must do all that they can to reduce these numbers.”

Jennifer Henderson, home safety officer at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in Scotland, said: “The link between alcohol and accidental house fires has been known for some time.

“The persistence of this link is sadly confirmed by these new figures – which also make reference to suspected impairment by drugs.

“In addition to the part played by impairment, it must be noted that smokers’ materials and matches continue to be the most common source of ignition for accidental house fires in which someone is killed in Scotland.

“It is crucial that people understand the fire-related risks associated with smoking and drinking at home and awareness-raising efforts along these lines must, therefore, continue.”