Our Research Into Electrical House Fires
Around 4,000 house fires across the UK every year are caused by faulty electrics, according to the Home Office.
Appliances, wiring and overloaded sockets have the potential to destroy properties and cause serious damage.
Recently, JF Law (of which Legal Expert trades under) secured a six-figure settlement for a mum whose two children were killed in a devastating house fire in Cambridgeshire in December 2022.
The mother, Jade Horton – shattered major bones in her body – including both her legs after leaping from a second-storey window to escape the blaze.
Her two children, Isaac, aged 3 and Sienna, aged 7 did not survive.
In March 2022, an inquest heard how a ‘perfect storm of bad luck’ effectively created a chimney in the home allowing the fire to spread rapidly from three-year-old, Isaac’s first-floor bedroom – up the staircase and into the bedroom of seven-year-old Sienna.
Fire Investigation Officer from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Peter Jones explained to the court how on the balance of probabilities, the fire started in the first floor bedroom, from an electronic device at the foot of Isaac’s bed thought to be a TV.
Through rigorous investigation, Head of Serious Injury and Multi Track at JF Law, Clare Morris has managed to finally secure a settlement for the grieving mum.
She said: “This is the most tragic case I’ve ever dealt with. I am deeply honoured to have been able to assist in this small way and to have helped Jade get the result she so deeply deserves.
“Nothing can replace what she has lost but I hope settling the claims brings some peace and comfort.”
Ms Morris, of JF Law, had noticed that at the 2022 inquest, fire investigator Mr Jones had mentioned that officers had found a screen frame in the debris at the seat of the fire.
Following enquiries with the police, it was established that the screen frame and some components of the “electrical product” were held in evidence.
An engineer was then instructed to collect and inspect the remnants to establish whether it was indeed a television and if so, who the manufacturer was.
After some initial resistance, the manufacturer of the television agreed to compensate Jade and negotiations resulted in a six-figure settlement.
How Legal Expert Can Help You
Legal Expert has a team of specialist personal injury solicitors who are experienced in electrical fire claims. If you’d like free advice and support and to check if you can claim personal injury compensation, get in touch with us for free using the number at the top of this page, or send us a message via our live chat.
How We Conducted Our Research Into Electrical House Fires
The incident prompted Legal Expert to conduct an investigation into Electrical Fires across the UK.
We sent Freedom of Information Requests to 50 Fire and Rescue Services nationwide, asking for the number of electrical fires in domestic properties in the last three years as well as, how many were caused by electrical products.
Legal Expert also enquired as to the most common products to cause electrical fires in the home as well as the number of fatalities and injuries the fire service has recorded as a result of such fires in the last three years.
See the results broken down by local Fire and Rescue Service below:
Statistics on Electrical House Fires In Every UK Area
Jump to:
- London
- North East
- North West
- Yorkshire
- East Midlands
- West Midlands
- South East
- East of England
- South West
- Wales
- Northern Ireland
London
London Fire Brigade
Number of electrical fires in the home
2021 – 2719
2022 – 2650
2023 – 2565
2024 – 1279
Total: 9213
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Faulty fuel supplies – Electricity | 3,729
- Cooking – other cooking | 2,964
- Fault in equipment or appliance | 2,663
- Combustible articles too close to
heat source (or fire) | 1,089 - Overheating, unknown cause | 971
Fatalities and Injuries (From Electrical Fires Only)
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 25
Injuries: 1081
North East
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 163
2022/23 – 143
20223/23 – 151
Total: 457
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plugs| 190
- Cooker incl. oven | 101
- Tumble Dryer| 57
- Electricity supply – Apparatus – batteries, generators | 39
- Other appliance or equipment | 35
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 74
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 297
2022/23 – 298
20223/23 – 304
Total: 899
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Cooker incl. oven| 391
- Tumble Dryer| 54
- Grill/Toaster| 46
- Microwave| 41
- Washing Machine| 34
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 1
Injuries: 12
North West
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 86
2022/23 – 86
20223/23 – 92
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Electricity supply – wiring, cabling plugs | 175
- Electricity Supply – Apparatus – batteries, generators | 46
- Other domestic style appliances – tumble dryer | 24
- Other domestic style appliances – Fridge/Freezer | 14
- Electric Lighting – Other Lights | 12
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 3
Serious Injuries: 1
Slight Injuries: 10
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 759
2022/23 – 903
20223/23 – 945
Total: 2607
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 5
Injuries: 769
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 502
2022/23 – 454
20223/23 – 444
Total: 1400
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Cooking appliance – Cooker incl. oven
- Electricity supply – Apparatus – batteries, generators
- Cooking appliance – Ring/hot place (separate appliance)
- Cooking appliance – Grill/Toaster
- Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plugs
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 5
Injuries:
- Victim went to hospital, injuries appear to be Serious | 16
- Victim went to hospital, injuries appear to be Slight | 23
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 516
2022/23 – 449
20223/23 – 445
Total: 1410
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused (Between 2021/24)
- Cooking appliance – Cooker incl oven| 475
- Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plugs | 273
- Cooking appliance – Grill/toaster | 132
- Cooking appliance – Ring/hot plate (separate appliance) | 130
- Cooking appliance – Microwave oven | 69
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 4
Serious Injuries: 24
Slight Injuries: 98
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 295
2022/23 – 445
20223/23 – 440
Total: 1180
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Cooker incl. oven | 558
- Wiring, cabling, plugs| 377
- Microwave Oven| 137
- Grill/Toaster| 96
- Tumble Dryer| 82
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 4
Injury: 36
Yorkshire
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 124
2022/23 – 145
20223/23 – 116
Total: 385
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Tumble Dryer| 59
- Other Domestic Style Appliance| 34
- Washing Machine| 31
- Fridge/Freezer| 17
- Other Heating Equipment | 9
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 1
Injuries (Hospital): 58
Injuries (First Aid): 41
East Midlands
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 119
2022/23 – 136
20223/23 – 140
Total: 395
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Wiring, cabling plugs | 143
- Grill/Toaster | 44
- Tumble Dryer| 39
- Apparatus – Batteries/Generators | 37
- Microwave Oven | 25
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 2
Injuries: 29
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 189
2022/23 – 166
20223/23 – 180
Total: 535
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Cooking appliance – Cooker inc. oven | 191
- Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plus | 116
- Cooking appliance – Ring/ hot plate (separate appliance)| 54
- Other domestic style appliance – Tumble dryer | 46
- Cooking appliance – Microwave oven | 45
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 2
Injuries: 129
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 142
2022/23 – 133
20223/23 – 139
Total: 414
Top Five Appliance Causes
- Extractor fan
- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator
- Tumble dryer
- Washing machine
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 0
Total Casualties: 23
West Midlands
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 109
2022/23 – 104
20223/23 – 105
Total: 318
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Tumble Dryer| 32
- Apparatus, batteries, generators | 44
- Washing machine| 18
- Cooker | 7
- Fridge/Freezer | 7
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 2
Injuries: Precautionary check recommended (10), First aid given at the scene (5), Victim went to hospitals injuries appeared to be slight (13)
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 119
2022/23 – 125
20223/23 – 138
Total: 382
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Cooking appliance-Cooker incl. oven
- Electricity supply-Wiring, cabling, plugs
- Cooking appliance-Grill/Toaster
- Cooking appliance-Microwave oven
- Electricity supply-Apparatus – batteries, generators
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 3
Slight Injuries: 0
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 36
2022/23 – 54
20223/23 – 51
Total: 141
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Wiring, Cabling, Plugs| 27
- Tumble Dryer| 17
- Dishwasher| 4
- Microwave| 4
- Cooker| 3
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 0
Slight Injuries: 15
South East
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 321
2022/23 – 247
20223/23 – 316
Total: 884
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Cooker incl. oven | 293
- Ring/hot plate (separate appliance) | 98
- Microwave Oven | 66
- Grill/Toaster | 49
- Electric Lighting | 14
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 1
Serious Injuries: 5
Slight Injuries: 39
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 143
2022/23 – 128
20223/23 – 139
Total: 410
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Cooker incl. oven
- Fluorescent lights
- Extractor Fan
- Fridge/Freezer
- Tumble dryer
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 4
Injuries:
- Victim went to hospital, injuries appear to be Serious 0
- Victim went to hospital, injuries appear to be Slight 3
- First aid given at scene 12
- Precautionary check recommended
Kent Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 316
2022/23 – 363
20223/23 – 312
Total: 991
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Cooker incl. oven | 289
- Wiring, cabling, plugs | 264
- Tumble dryer | 98
- Ring/hot plate (separate appliance) | 88
- Grill/Toaster | 64
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 5 or fewer
Injuries: 109
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 43
2022/23 – 38
20223/23 – 45
Total: 126
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Faulty fuel supply – electricity | 65
- Fault in equipment or appliance | 32
- Overheating, unknown cause | 21
- Faulty leads to equipment or appliance | 4
- Negligent use of equipment or appliance (heat source) | 4
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 1
Slight Injuries: 5
East of England
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 174
2022/23 – 174
20223/23 – 191
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Wiring, cabling plugs | 254
- Cooker incl. oven | 188
- Electrical Fault | 172
- Apparatus – batteries, generators| 104
- Ring/hot plate (separate appliance) | 59
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 5
Injuries: 80
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 246
2022/23 – 288
20223/23 – 319
Total: 853
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Cooker Incl. oven
- Wiring/Cables/plugs
- Electrical Fault
- Ring or Hotplate
- Microwave
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: Less than 5
Injured (incl. rescue with injury): 54
Rescued (rescue with injury): 38
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 233
2022/23 – 202
20223/23 – 216
Total: 651
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Cooker incl oven | 268
- Wiring, Cabling , Plugs| 164
- Electrical Fault| 160
- Ring/Hot Plate| 78
- Tumble Dryer| 37
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 3
Injury (Incl. rescue with injury): 206
Rescued (Rescue without injury): 2
South West
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 33
2022/23 – 28
20223/23 – 35
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Heater/Fire| 6
- Extractor Fan| 3
- Tumble Dryer| 3
- Dishwasher| 3
- Washing Machine | 3
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 2
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 168
2022/23 – 186
20223/23 – 175
Total: 529
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Tumble Dryer
- Washing Machine
- Fluorescent Lights
- Fridge/Freezer
- Dishwasher
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 1
Serious Injurie: 1
Slight Injuries: 40
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 163
2022/23 – 153
20223/23 – 162
Total: 478
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plugs| 169
- Electricity supply – Apparatus – batteries,
generators| 34 - Other domestic style appliance – Tumble dryer| 27
- Other domestic style appliance – Washing
machine| 25 - Other appliance or equipment | 13
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Injuries: 22
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 178
2022/23 – 180
20223/23 – 180
Top Five Appliance Causes
- Cooker incl. oven
- Wiring, cabling, plugs
- Microwave oven
- Electrical Fault
- Apparatus – batteries, generators
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 2
Injuries: 131
Wales
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 313
2022/23 – 276
20223/23 – 286
Total: 875
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Cooker incl oven | 297
- Wiring, Cabling , Plugs| 164
- Ring/Hot Plate| 90
- Tumble Dryer| 70
- Apparatus – batteries/generators | 51
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 7
Electrical Fires Attended Casualties: 91
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 261
2022/23 – 227
20223/23 – 225
Total: 713
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Electricity supply – Apparatus – batteries, generators | 268
- Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plugs| 164
- Heating equipment – Central heating/Hot water| 160
- Heating equipment – Power Source| 78
- Vehicles only – Electrical fault| 37
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 3
Injury: 41
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service
Number of electrical fires in the home
(Between April 6 – April 5)
2021/22 – 368
2022/23 – 348
20223/23 – 394
Total: 1110
Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused
- Cooking Appliance | 417
- Other Domestic Style Applicance | 97
- Heating Equipment | 89
- Electric Lighting | 63
- Industrial Equiment | 47
Fatalities and Injuries
(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)
Fatalities: 9
Casualties: 258
Rescues: 64
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