16 people lost their lives in house fires in Northern Ireland during the course of 2025
The fire service has issued a warning after 2025 was the deadliest year for fatal house fires in a quarter of a century as 16 people lost their lives.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has said that smoking related incidents caused half of the fatal fires in Northern Ireland last year with electrical issues contributing to four of them. It has also revealed that in one third of the incidents there was no working smoke alarm in the property, 75% of those who died were people who lived alone and 65% were in the NIFRS People at Risk group.
The fire service has extended its thoughts and sympathies to the families of those who died in the fires and have issued a warning to the public to be safe at home, saying most fires can be prevented with working smoke alarms and changing dangerous behaviours.
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NIFRS Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Marcus Wright said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families and loved ones of those who have died in 2025 in house fires. This is the highest number of fatalities since 1999 and is a key priority and concern for us. The fires show how quickly everyday situations can turn into life-changing emergencies leading to devastating impacts for our community.
“We are pleading with the public to make home fire safety a priority to prevent further loss of life or serious injury.
“Smoking materials has been the leading cause of fatal house fires, accounting for a staggering 43% of such deaths over the past 10 years. We strongly advise for you to smoke outdoors at your property and to extinguish cigarettes before placing them in a suitable container, such as a metal bin.
“A majority of the fatal fires started in a bedroom followed by living room and kitchen. Therefore, we ask that you check your smoke alarms are fitted, tested regularly, and replace batteries when needed. Please also consider installing smoke alarms in the rooms you use the most. We would also advise heat detectors in your kitchen and utility.
“As we continue to be in the high-risk time of year for house fire, we are asking you to take time to reach out to vulnerable family members, neighbours and friends who may need support to stay safe from fire, especially those who live alone. If you have any concerns about this person, you can also complete our online Home Fire Safety Check with them, or request an in-person visit.
“We are also calling on our partner agencies to make use of our referral system for Home Fire Safety Checks. You are the ‘eyes and ears’ in our community to helping us keep those most at risk safe from fire.
“We are currently considering what more can be done, over and above what is currently being done, to help keep those most at risk safe from fire, as we continue to educate our community and deliver engagement activities.”
If you fit NIFRS Person at Risk criteria, have no access to the internet or unable to complete the online self-assessment, please contact NIFRS by phone to receive a free in person Home Fire Safety Check on 028 9266 4221.
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