House fire deaths rising

Deaths caused by house fires are on the rise both nationally and in Cork despite smoking rates, the leading cause of fire fatalities, being at a historic low.

The latest figures from the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) have revealed that 34 people died in fires in Ireland last year, a 36% increase on 2024.

In Cork, three people died as a result of fires in 2024, rising to five fatalities in 2025.

According to the NDFEM, smoking remains the leading cause of fire fatalities in Ireland, accounting for almost 30% of causes despite smokers only accounting for 17% of the population as of 2025. According to the Health Research Board National Drugs Library, smoking rates have remained static in Ireland since 2019 having fallen from 27% in 2004 when indoor workplace bans began.

The average age of people who died in a fire in 2025 was 63, with 40% of those who died aged over 65. Males were disproportionately represented, accounting for 26 of the 34 people who died in fires. In Cork last year, fire brigades attended 1,673 fires across the city and county, representing a 13.7% increase on 2024’s 1,477 attended fires.

Causes

The main causes of fires in Cork in 2025 vary drastically between city and county. There were 80 chimney related fires in Cork county last year, while just two fires were chimney related in the city.

In the same period, 58 malicious fires were recorded in the county, while only nine were deemed malicious in the city. Cooking and heating, rubbish burning, electrical wiring installation, and matches and cigarette lighters were some of the other major culprits.

The majority of fires in Cork in 2025 were put down to “unknown causes” with 939 in the city and 340 in the county.

The importance of smoke alarms

Commenting on the latest figures, Keith Leonard, National Director for Fire and Emergency Management, warned that, although fire fatality trends can vary from year to year, the increase recorded in 2025 underlines the need for sustained fire safety awareness, prevention measures, and protection of vulnerable members of the community.

He said: “Our data shows that the home remains the highest-risk location for fire fatalities, and that older members of our communities are particularly vulnerable.

We continue to urge everyone to take simple but vital steps to reduce risk, including maintaining working smoke alarms and being mindful of fire hazards such as smoking materials.” Mr Leonard noted that smoke alarms remain the single most important life-saving device in the home. “While many homes are equipped with alarms, it is essential that they are properly maintained and regularly tested to ensure they operate effectively when needed,” he said.

Nationally, forest, bog, and grass fires represented a significant category of incidents in 2025, with fire brigades attending 2,314 such fires during the year.

False fire alarms accounted for 8,573 attendances last year in Ireland.

Electrical fire safety

While NDFEM data indicates that electrical fires have reduced in the last 25 years, the growing use of electrical appliances and emerging technologies has introduced new fire safety considerations in the home.

E‑scooters, e‑bikes, and similar lithium‑ion battery‑powered devices also pose a growing risk. The NDFEM warns that poor charging practices, unsafe storage, or low-quality products can lead to fast developing and life-threatening fires. Battery fires can spread quickly and release highly toxic fumes, which can be deadly.