London Firefighters fastest to respond

According to The Government, a primary fire is defined as a “potentially more serious fire that causes harm to people or damage to property”.

Experts at Mobile Annexe analysed the latest Home Office report to find the average response time for regions across the country in response to these types of fires, with Greater London coming out as the fastest!

In the region, the average response time for 2023/24 was just 6 minutes and 47 seconds.

The North West was second fastest at 8 minutes 42 seconds, followed by the North East, with 8 minutes and 47 seconds.

The South West had the slowest average response time to primary fires at 10 minutes and 43 seconds, followed by the East Midlands and the East of England.

Gary Clayden-Smith from Mobile Annexe, who analysed the data, believes the cost-of-living crisis may lead to more people doing DIY, which could result in a rise in incidents.

He has this advice for fire safety:

“Keep all flammable materials away from heat sources, especially when using power tools. Be smart here, it sounds like common sense, but when you’re doing DIY, which might not be within your usual comfort zone, it’s very easy to forget the basics when you’re overwhelmed.

“Never overload extension cords or sockets when using multiple power tools or equipment and double-check all connections. When you’re using multiple tools, it may save time to keep everything plugged in, but be careful, the time you save is absolutely not worth your safety.

“Always have a fire extinguisher or a fire blanket nearby for emergencies. It’s easy to take all the precautions in the world, but accidents do still happen. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail, so always have something on hand to stop a fire, just in case you need it!

“Regularly clean up sawdust and debris, as they can be highly flammable. If you’re doing lots of work, it makes sense that mess may begin to form, but make sure to keep tidy to reduce any chances of an accident taking place.

“Be mindful of your tools. Always let hot tools cool down completely before putting them away or storing them. Also, before using them, take a quick look over them to make sure there aren’t any frayed wires or damaged parts that may lead to a fire.”