Fire and Rescue Incident Statistics: Year Ending March 2025
3rd Sep 2025
The latest fire and rescue incident statistics covering the year ending March 2025, reveal some significant trends and insights into the state of fire safety and emergency response.
Overview of Incidents
In the year ending March 2025, fire and rescue services (FRSs) in England attended a total of 603,942 incidents, this was a 0.6% increase from the previous year. This slight increase was due to the increase in wildfires.
Fire Categories
There are three categories and below we will explain each of their criteria.
Primary Fires
Primary fires are generally more serious and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Occur in a (non-derelict) building, vehicle, or some outdoor structures
- Involve fatalities, casualties, or rescues
- Are attended by five or more pumping appliances
Secondary Fires
Secondary fires are typically smaller and less severe. They would usually:
- Occur outdoors and do not involve people or property
- Include refuse fires, grassland fires, and fires in derelict buildings or vehicles, unless they involve casualties or require five or more pumping appliances
Outdoor Primary Fires
- Fires in outdoor structures such as post or telephone boxes, bridges and tunnels
- Fires in vehicles like aircraft, boats and trains
Breakdown of Incidents
The incidents attended by FRSs can be categorized into three main types:
- Fires: 142,494 incidents.
- Fire false alarms: 250,226 incidents.
- Non-fire incidents: 211,222 incidents.
Fire-Related Fatalities and Casualties
Tragically, there were 271 fire-related fatalities in 247 fatal fires during this period, an increase from 251 fatalities recorded the previous year.
Response Times
Response times to fires have remained a critical focus for FRSs. The Average response time to a primary fire was 9 minutes and 6 seconds, this showed a slight increase by 3 seconds from 2024. Quick response times are crucial in minimizing damage and saving lives.
Fire Prevention and Protection
Efforts in fire prevention and protection have continued to evolve. The statistics show an increase in the number of smoke alarms installed and fire safety checks conducted by FRSs. These proactive measures are essential in reducing the risks of fires and ensuring public safety.
Conclusion
UK Fire and Rescue Services attended 603,942 incidents in the year ending March 2025, a 0.6% increase from the previous year. Fires (24% of incidents) saw a 2.5% rise, largely driven by wildfires fuelled by record dry and warm weather in early 2025. 271 fire-related fatalities, a significant 8.0% increase, underscore the need for enhanced fire prevention and response. Continued investment in fire training remains vital to equip individuals with the skills to effectively respond to incidents and minimize damage and casualties.
