Fire brigade deals with average 100 garden fires a year - now it wants to know why

RESIDENTS are being asked to take part in a Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (DSFR) garden fires online survey to help the brigade better understand the causes of such domestic incidents.

A spokesperson said: “We have seen a steady increase in garden fires and want to learn more about how people use and enjoy their outdoor spaces, from barbecues and fire pits to gardening and waste disposal.

“By understanding everyday activities and behaviours, we can help provide better advice and support to reduce the risk of fires and keep our communities safe.

“This survey is completely anonymous, and every response will help us build a clearer picture and make a real difference.”

One recent garden fire which happened in Oake, near Wellington, quickly spread and destroyed two houses.

The incident was attended at its height by fire crews from 12 different stations across Somerset and Devon.

The spokesperson said DSFR had attended about 500 fires in private gardens in the past five years, an average of almost 100 incidents a year.

During the same period the brigade had also attended 45 fires caused by combustible materials being too close to a heat source, and more than 57 incidents where bonfires or other intentional outdoor fires had become out of control.

There were also calls to 30 fires caused by the disposal of hot materials, such as ashes, which had not first been fully extinguished.

DSFR is urging people enjoying their outdoor spaces this summer to ‘stay with it’ when using barbecues and fire pits, and during garden gatherings.

The campaign follows an increase in recent years in the number of preventable domestic outdoor fires attended by firefighters.

DSFR head of prevention Kate Saint said: “Most of the fires we attend in the summer are not caused by things going wrong, they happen during normal social occasions where people get distracted.

“You might step away from a barbecue for a few minutes, assume a fire pit has gone out, or dispose of ashes too soon.

“But, it only takes a moment for a fire to start and spread.

“We are not asking people to stop enjoying the sunshine, we just want them to keep an eye on their fire, make sure it is positioned safely away from anything that could catch alight, and ensure everything is properly out before they leave it.”

Ms Saint said through the 'stay with it this summer' campaign, the brigade wanted to encourage people to take simple steps to keep safe.

She said people should:

Ms Saint said fires could start and spread faster than people expected.

She said once a fire took hold, it could quickly spread beyond the garden and put lives, homes, and neighbouring properties at risk.