Ups and downs as covid sees changes in the nature of fire incidents in Hartlepool

Cleveland Fire Brigade bosses provided an update on the number of incidents recorded across each region from April to the end of October this year at the latest fire authority audit and governance committee.

Across Cleveland to date this year there have been 2,024 deliberate fires, a reduction of 562, or 24%, compared to the same period last year.

In total 88% of these incidents were deliberate secondary fires, which include rubbish and grassland fires, with the remaining 12% primary fires, impacting property and vehicles.

The number of deliberate fires in Hartlepool from April to October this year was 354, a decrease of 66 incidents and 16% compared to the same period last year.

Tim Graham, head of risk and performance at Cleveland Fire Brigade, noted this decrease has been seen across the area, however deliberate fires remain a big issue.

He said: “Every district in the brigade area has incurred substantial decreases in the numbers of deliberate fires.

“But the rate of deliberate fires in our area is substantially higher than other brigades and the national rate and hence the reason why we’re putting a concerted effort into addressing the reasons for deliberate fires.”

In Middlesbrough deliberate fires decreased by 166 incidents to 710, a drop of 19%, while Stockton had 416 reports, a drop of 109 incidents and 21%.

In Redcar and Cleveland deliberate fires dropped by 208 incidents to 544, a decrease of 28%.

However Mr Graham warned a ‘degree of caution’ has to be placed on all figures due to the impact of Covid-19 on society.

In terms of accidental dwelling fires, he reported from April to October there were 94 incidents across Cleveland, a rise of 13 incidents and 16% compared to last year.

The main causes of the incidents were recorded as radiated heat, in 27 cases, cooking in 25, and ‘careless handling’ in 18 cases.

Hartlepool saw the largest percentage increase in terms of accidental dwelling fires, rising from 13 to 17 incidents.

Cllr Stephen Thomas, a Hartlepool Council representative on the committee, asked if any trends have been identified or targeted work is taking place.

He said: “That figure in Hartlepool, 31% was the highest percentage increase, and whilst the numbers of fires are quite low, so a small number of increases can have quite a large percentage effect, it still was quite a big increase.”

Carl Boasman, assistant chief fire officer at Cleveland Fire Brigade, said they work with community safety hubs and operational staff to look at the causational factors and any trends on a monthly basis.

He said: “It is the focus of our crews and community staff based upon the targeted work that we have and the data we have.

“We absolutely try and be as effective as we can with every contact, we try to make every contact that we have count and as targeted as possible.

“Ultimately the thing we’re trying to do through our targeted safer homes interventions, we’re aiming to influence peoples’ behaviour.”

As well as carrying out home fire safety visits, he added they work with other organisations and partners based on any needs of residents.

Middlesbrough also saw an increase in accidental dwelling fires over this period from 29 to 33, while Stockton saw a rise from 23 to 29.

Redcar and Cleveland was the only area to see a decrease in these incidents, dropping from 16 to 15.

Mr Graham added Cleveland has some of the best rates in the country for accidental dwelling fires and a great deal of work is done to maintain and improve this.

He said: “We have the second-lowest rate in the country, and the fourth highest rate of home fire safety visits completed in the country.

“There is a direct correlation in the number of home fire safety visits and the number of accidental dwelling fires that occur.”

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