AQW 3481/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 10/03/2020
Answered On Date: 26/03/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for his assessment of the number of domestic electrical fires in rural areas.

Answer:

The table below details the number of primary (major) fires in domestic premises in rural areas* started by electrical appliances over the last three financial years:

2016/17	2017/18	2018/19
98	114	108

*Rural areas defined as settlements with a population of <5,000 and all areas outside settlement boundaries

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) provide a range of information and advice to the community on fire safety including advice on how to prevent electrical fires in the home. NIFRS provide free Home Fire Safety Checks to members of the community who are deemed at risk. NIFRS completed 13,116 of these visits between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2019.