How Common Are Fires in England?
Fires in England are less common than many people think, but the ones that happen can be severe. Here we look at the government figures for 2020 to 2021 for homes and businesses, how Britain compares with other countries, and what reduces the damage.
How regularly do you think about fire? Not very often, right?
You’re not alone. Thankfully, most people will never experience a house or business fire — so it’s not something that crosses their minds often. The truth is, the possibility of a fire isn’t something that should cause constant anxiety, but it’s not something that can be ignored either. While fires are relatively uncommon, they do happen — and they could happen to you or your business.
Prevalence of Domestic Fires
In 2020–2021, the fire service attended 27,021 domestic fires in England, resulting in 4,877 injuries and 185 fatalities. The leading cause of domestic fire was the misuse of equipment. During that period, the average fire service response time was 7 minutes and 36 seconds, and on average 14.8 square metres of property were damaged by fire — a noticeable improvement on previous years.
Prevalence of Non-Domestic Fires
Between 2020–2021, fire services attended 8,153 non-domestic fires across England, including incidents in commercial properties, schools, leisure centres, and other facilities. Interestingly, deliberate fires in non-domestic buildings are almost as common as accidental ones. The average response time for these incidents was 8 minutes and 40 seconds, and the average area damaged was 28.7 square metres.
Global Comparison
According to global research, Britain experiences a relatively low number of fires compared to other nations such as the United States and parts of Europe, including the Czech Republic. However, the UK has one of the highest fire injury rates relative to its population.
This suggests that although fewer fires occur, those that do tend to be more severe or destructive. Fires may spread faster, cause more damage, or occur in situations where occupants or employees are unprepared to respond. This underlines the importance of robust fire prevention and protection strategies in both homes and workplaces.
How Can We Reduce the Prevalence of Fires?
Government data shows that 34,423 fire safety audits were conducted across England between 2020–2021 — and around a quarter were deemed “unsatisfactory.”
While education and awareness are critical in preventing fires, more must be done to minimise damage when fires do occur. This includes improving knowledge and adoption of fire protection systems such as sprinkler systems and dry & wet risers, which can dramatically reduce the spread and impact of fire.
At Eversafe Fire Protection, our mission is to help business owners, landlords, facilities managers, and property owners better understand fire risk — and how to reduce it. Is it likely you’ll experience a fire? Fortunately, no. Is it possible? Absolutely. Being prepared is essential for minimising risk, keeping people safe, and ensuring quick recovery should the unexpected happen.
For practical steps at home, read our 5 tips for fire safety at home.