Bonfire night named one of RISKIEST nights for house fires
Bonfire night or 5th November has been named the third riskiest day for house fires in the UK according to a new study by Elec Training.
The study, which was based on an analysis of Ministry of Housing fire statistics between 2017 and 2025, revealed that 29% more house fires occur on Bonfire night compared with the rest of the year.
The only dates where a house fire is more likely than Bonfire night, are Christmas Day (59% more likely) and New Year’s Day (29.1% more likely).
An average of 97 house fires occurred on Bonfire night in the UK between 2017-2025, compared with an average of 75.2 per day the rest of the year.
What causes house fires?
An electrical fire is caused my a fault or a failure in an electrical system, appliance or device. This is typically when electrical current generates enough heat or sparks to ignite nearby materials.
The most common causes often include faulty or outdated wiring, overloaded sockets and extension leads, damaged cables, and malfunctioning appliances or chargers.
Where in the UK are house fires most common?
The study also found that homes in the West Midlands are most at risk of electrical fires. In 2023/2024 alone, there were 371 house fires recorded in the area. Electrical fires accounted for 27.4% of all fires recorded in the West Midlands during that year.
East Sussex takes second place, with 118 electrical fires recorded in that year, and Greater Manchester is third. Other hazardous areas include Greater London, Nottinghamshire and Bedfordshire.
Why do house fires start?
Charanjit Mannu, director of Elec Training said of the findings: “This research shows that seasonal celebrations are the riskiest time of year for house fires. It’s easy to let your guard down when celebrating. Whether that’s leaving candles burning, overloading sockets with lights and leads, leaving cookers unattended or failing to switch decorations off at night.
How can we stay safe this Bonfire night?
“This Bonfire night, it’s crucial you follow correct safety precautions to stay safe.
“To mitigate your risk of house fires this 5 November, people should opt to attend professionally organised public firework displays rather than setting off fireworks and lighting bonfires at home.
“If you are setting off a display at home, only buy fireworks with a CE or UKCA mark. Also, ensure you stick to minimum safety distances specified on the label. Do not build bonfires near hedges, trees, fences or sheds, and never use petrol or paraffin to light it.”
The research also highlights the big risk of electrical fires in the UK. For example, they can often start with problems that are easy to fix, such as overloaded sockets, or ageing wiring hidden behind walls.
Charanjit adds: “Because many of these faults develop gradually, it’s important not to ignore warning signs. This could be scorch marks, buzzing sockets, flickering lights, or a burning smell.
“Try to avoid plugging too many high-powered appliances into one extension lead, and never run cables under rugs or carpets. It’s also worth having your home’s electrics inspected by a registered electrician. Typically, you should do this every 10 years for homeowners or ever five years for rented properties.
“Make sure to test your smoke alarms regularly, and if you spot a fault, stop using the appliance or socket immediately, and get it checked by a qualified professional as soon as possible.”
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