Total Fires
Primary fires attended by fire and rescue services
'22 ↑9.7%'23 ↓7.0%'24 ↓6.0%'25 ↑6.1%
England trend: 61,610 → 66,866
Total fires increased by 6.1% compared to the previous year.
Compare with BuckinghamshireExtinguish 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
881
Primary Fires
15% per 100k vs England
97
Casualties
12% per 100k vs England
9:01
Avg Response
10% vs England
Primary fires attended by fire and rescue services
England trend: 61,610 → 66,866
Total fires increased by 6.1% compared to the previous year.
Compare with BuckinghamshireDeaths and non-fatal casualties from primary fires
97
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service↑ 56.5% since 2021/09
England: 7,096
Fire fatalities and casualties increased by 26.0% compared to the previous year.
Compare with BuckinghamshireProportion of all incidents that were false alarms
43%
False alarms
False alarms account for 43% of all incidents attended.
Compare with BuckinghamshireLeading 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
2,470
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service↑ 111.1% since 2021/03
England: 102,052
Fire safety audits conducted increased by 18.6% compared to the previous year.
Compare with BuckinghamshireResults of fire safety audits: satisfactory, informal action, formal action
Average time from call to first appliance arriving at dwelling fires
9:01
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service↑ 3.4% since 2021/09
England: 8:13
Average response time in West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is 10% above the national average.
Compare with BuckinghamshireProportion of incidents by response time band
Primary fires recorded as deliberate (arson)
362
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service↓ 6.9% since 2021/09
England: 77,050
Deliberate fires account for 362% of all primary fires — above the national average.
Compare with BuckinghamshirePrimary fires attended by fire and rescue services
England trend: 61,610 → 66,866
Total fires increased by 6.1% compared to the previous year.
Compare with BuckinghamshireDeaths and non-fatal casualties from primary fires
97
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service↑ 56.5% since 2021/09
England: 7,096
Fire fatalities and casualties increased by 26.0% compared to the previous year.
Compare with BuckinghamshireProportion of all incidents that were false alarms
43%
False alarms
False alarms account for 43% of all incidents attended.
Compare with Buckinghamshire43%
False Alarms
4% vs England
Featured fire risk assessment professionals in South East
