Total Fires
Primary fires attended by fire and rescue services
'22 ↑15.8%'23 ↓5.0%'24 ↓10.4%'25 ↑21.4%
England trend: 61,610 → 66,866
Total fires increased by 21.4% compared to the previous year.
Compare with BedfordshireExtinguish fires, rescue people & pets for bonus points!
Official statistics from the UK fire and rescue services. Explore incident rates, response times, and casualty figures by fire authority.
Data current as of year ending September 2025
2,217
Primary Fires
2% per 100k vs England
132
Casualties
43% per 100k vs England
9:24
Avg Response
14% vs England
Primary fires attended by fire and rescue services
England trend: 61,610 → 66,866
Total fires increased by 21.4% compared to the previous year.
Compare with BedfordshireDeaths and non-fatal casualties from primary fires
132
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service↓ 8.3% since 2021/09
England: 7,096
Fire fatalities and casualties increased by 8.2% compared to the previous year.
Compare with BedfordshireProportion of all incidents that were false alarms
42%
False alarms
False alarms account for 42% of all incidents attended.
Compare with BedfordshireLeading causes of accidental primary fires
Equipment misuse is the leading cause of accidental dwelling fires in England.
Whether fire was contained to the room of origin or spread further
Distribution of primary fire incidents across the 24-hour cycle
Dwelling fires typically peak between 6pm and 9pm, coinciding with evening cooking activity.
Whether smoke alarms raised the alarm in dwelling fires
Number of fire safety audits conducted by the authority
3,034
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service↓ 41.9% since 2021/03
England: 102,052
Fire safety audits conducted increased by 19.0% compared to the previous year.
Compare with BedfordshireResults of fire safety audits: satisfactory, informal action, formal action
Average time from call to first appliance arriving at dwelling fires
9:24
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service↑ 10.6% since 2021/09
England: 8:13
Average response time in Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is 14% above the national average.
Compare with BedfordshireProportion of incidents by response time band
Primary fires recorded as deliberate (arson)
1,623
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service↑ 56.4% since 2021/09
England: 77,050
Deliberate fires account for 1623% of all primary fires — above the national average.
Compare with BedfordshirePrimary fires attended by fire and rescue services
England trend: 61,610 → 66,866
Total fires increased by 21.4% compared to the previous year.
Compare with BedfordshireDeaths and non-fatal casualties from primary fires
132
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service↓ 8.3% since 2021/09
England: 7,096
Fire fatalities and casualties increased by 8.2% compared to the previous year.
Compare with BedfordshireProportion of all incidents that were false alarms
42%
False alarms
False alarms account for 42% of all incidents attended.
Compare with Bedfordshire42%
False Alarms
3% vs England
Featured fire risk assessment professionals in East of England
