Drugs and alcohol are linked to two house fires every day

The number of deaths from blazes around Scotland also went up slightly on last year, and is well above the level for the UK, prompting opposition warnings that addressing this issue must be a priority for the new national fire service.

Overall, the number of house fires in Scotland is at its lowest in a decade, according to the figures for 2011-12.

However, there were 860 fires in homes across Scotland last year where drugs or alcohol were suspected to be a factor, up 25 on the previous year and equivalent to more than two every day.

Conservative community safety spokesman David McLetchie said: “The news that house fires in Scotland are at their lowest in a decade is a testament to the hard work of officers in raising awareness of fire prevention in Scotland’s communities.

“However, it’s of great concern that a greater percentage of fires in people’s homes are involving alcohol or drugs.

“Equally worrying is that fatality and casualty rates in Scotland remain considerably higher than the rest of the UK. These issues must surely be major priorities for the single fire and rescue service, once it is established next year.”

More than 2,000 fires took place in homes with no smoke alarm, which led to ten fatalities, while in 802 cases the smoke alarm did not work.

Fire fatalities increased by  10 per cent to 57, comprising 38 men and 19 women, although this is still the third lowest number in ten years. A total of 51 people were killed in fires in the home, of which 47 were victims of blazes started accidentally.

Community safety minister Roseanna Cunningham said: “Once again, alcohol and/or drugs were suspected to have been a factor in at least one in six accidental house fires.

“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.

“The most important message we can give is not to be complacent and always be on your guard. 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.”

Almost half of these accidental fires (45 per cent) where someone was killed were caused by smokers’ materials and matches, while 14 people died and 292 people were injured in accidental house fires in which alcohol or drugs are thought to have contributed.

Last year, 1,398 people were injured in fires, 539 of whom were overcome by smoke, gas or fumes. Of the total, 978 were hurt in accidental house fires.

Cooking appliances were the most common cause of house fires which started by accident, accounting for 567 cases.

The number of accidental house fires reached a ten-year low in 2011-12, at 5,116.

Ms Cunningham added: “Campaigns are raising awareness of the risks, be it alcohol consumption, smoking, misuse of electrical appliances or the overloading of electrical sockets. But more can and will be done.”

Fire crews attended 47,645 false alarms, the lowest number for a decade.