Fall in accidental fires at Staffordshire homes

There were 286 small fires, excluding grass blazes, between October and December last year, compared to 341 for the same period in 2013.

However, grass fires increased from 36 to 50 during the third quarter of 2014/15, according to a report by the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

Accidental dwelling fires fell last year as 150 were recorded between October and December - eight less than the same period in 2013.

The new figures show fires involving property and casualties also dropped in a year.

In a report to an authority board meeting, chief fire officer Peter Dartford said: "There have been 373 fires involving property and casualties for the period October to December of 2014/15. This shows a decrease of four when compared to the same period in 2013/14."

He said a rise in fires involving electronic cigarettes had also resulted in the fire and rescue service carrying out tests.

He said: "Following an increase in fires involving E-Cigarettes, a small scale test was carried out at HQ.

"The test resulted in the production of a video which was distributed amongst other fire and rescue services, Twitter and Facebook."

He said new qualifications are also being launched in fire safety awareness with an aim of targetting staff from small and medium businesses.

It comes after it emerged earlier this month that arson attacks in Staffordshire had fallen by more than half last year, compared to four years ago.

In total, 866 small fires were started deliberately across the county between April and August last year compared to 1,906 during the same period in 2011.

There were 205 fires in the west of the county, which includes Stone, Eccleshall, Stafford Cannock and Rugeley.

To the north in the likes of Stoke there were 505 fires and in the east - around the Burton area – there were 156 fires.

Fire chiefs put the drop down to the launch of various campaigns aimed at youngsters in a bid to tackle small grass and bin fires.

Anyone caught starting small fires could face two years in prison or a fine of up to £5,000.

Recent arson attacks included a derelict building in Chadsmoor in February.

Crews from Penkridge, Rugeley and Chase Terrace attended the fire in Chase Terrace in the early hours of February 23.

It forced the closure of Cannock Road between Bradford Street and the roundabout at Belt Road.

Staffordshire Fire Service later confirmed the blaze as arson.