Understanding the Prevalence and Causes of Fires on Balconies in the UK: AliDeck Balcony Fires Report

AliDeck is committed to helping our nation move towards a fire safe future. While we primarily aim to achieve this through the manufacture of our non-combustible aluminium component systems, we are also keen to contribute to raising awareness of the issues and highlighting the bigger picture. The AliDeck Balcony Fires Report is our initiative to reveal the prevalence and understand the causes of balcony fires in the UK.

Collating data from Fire Services all around Britain, we are able to make the facts clear; balcony fires continue to happen too frequently, and they are too often caused by entirely preventable actions and behaviours. Please take the time to review our Balcony Fire Reports below to access the shocking data.

  • Previous fire reports can be found at the bottom of this page!

AliDeck Balcony Fires Report 2023-2024

Balcony fires remain a serious fire safety concern across the UK, particularly in densely populated urban areas where flats and apartments are common. The AliDeck Balcony Fires Report 2023-2024 presents a comprehensive overview of balcony fire incidents reported between August 1st, 2023, and July 31st, 2024.

This year’s report compiles data from Fire and Rescue Services across the country, offering insights into the frequency, causes, and geographical distribution of balcony fires. With a total of 206 reported incidents, the findings highlight both ongoing challenges and emerging trends in fire safety. As always, our goal is to raise awareness, encourage preventive action, and ultimately reduce the occurrence of such incidents.

Executive Summary

  • Total Balcony Fires: A total of 206 balcony fires were reported during the 2023-2024 period.
  • Leading Cause of Balcony Fires: Smoking-related incidents accounted for 96 cases (47% of all incidents), making it the primary cause of balcony fires. Despite awareness campaigns, smoking materials continue to pose a significant fire hazard.
  • Secondary Causes: Electrical faults caused 6 incidents, while barbeques accounted for 16 incidents. Additionally, 31 fires were categorised under “Other” causes, further highlighting the need for proper safety measures when using outdoor equipment or appliances.
  • Geographic Hotspots: The London Fire Brigade recorded the highest number of balcony fires, with 130 incidents – 63% of all reported cases across the UK. In contrast, several regions, including Bedfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Lincolnshire reported no balcony fires during this period (see map below).

Year-on-Year Comparison

Compared to the previous year, balcony fire incidents have decreased significantly, with 206 fires reported, down from 266 the previous year. While this reduction is encouraging, the number of incidents remains far too high, particularly in high-risk regions such as London. This underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and robust fire prevention measures to further reduce these dangerous incidents.

Despite a decrease in incidents, smoking-related fires continue to be a dominant cause. However, electrical faults saw a significant decrease from previous years while barbeque fires remained the same, emphasising the importance of safety and fire-rated components for outdoor spaces.

1. Smoking-Related Fires

A total of 96 incidents were caused by smoking materials such as cigarettes and discarded matches, making it the leading cause of balcony fires. This continues to be a major concern, particularly in high-density urban areas like London and Greater Manchester, where many residents live in flats or high-rise buildings. Smoking-related fires are a clear and ongoing risk in these settings.

2. Electrical Faults

6 balcony fires were attributed to electrical faults, reflecting the need for better awareness around the safe use of electrical devices on balconies. As the popularity of outdoor lighting and heating systems increases, it’s essential that residents ensure their equipment is safely installed, regularly maintained, and used appropriately.

3. Barbeques

Barbeques were responsible for 16 balcony fires across this period, making them a notable cause of concern. Improper handling, leaving barbeques unattended, and using unsuitable equipment on balconies all contribute to these incidents. Safety guidelines for barbeque use are critical for reducing these preventable fires.

4. Other Causes and Unknown Incidents

Fires categorised under “Other” causes totalled 31 incidents, while 30 incidents were attributed to unknown causes. This highlights the importance of thorough investigation and documentation to better understand the factors leading to these incidents, which often involve multiple contributing elements.

Causes of Balcony Fires in Great Britain: 2023-2024

0 Fires

Counties Below:

Bedfordshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and West Sussex, reported no balcony fires during the period.

130 Fires

London

London was by far the most affected region, with 130 balcony fires reported. Of these, 72 were smoking-related, 6 involved electrical faults, and 18 were classified under “Other” causes.

17 Fires

Hampshire

Hampshire recorded the second-highest number of balcony fires, with 17 incidents, including 5 smoking-related, 3 barbeque-related, and 7 incidents of unknown cause.

5 Fires

Greater Manchester

In Greater Manchester, 5 incidents were reported, all of which were smoking-related.

3 Fires

East Sussex and Essex

Both regions reported 3 balcony fires. In East Sussex, 2 fires were smoking-related, while Essex saw 3 incidents with unknown causes.

3 Fires

Northern Ireland

Reported 3 balcony fires, with a notable proportion involving “Other” causes, including fireworks and sunlight reflection.

Key Insights and Recommendations

The 2023-2024 Balcony Fires Report highlights several critical areas for attention:

  • Enhanced Smoking Regulations: With nearly half of all balcony fires caused by smoking materials, stricter regulations and clearer guidance are needed to reduce the risk. Property managers should consider designating specific smoking areas away from buildings and enforcing non-smoking policies on balconies.
  • Electrical Safety: The fall in fires caused by electrical faults is promising but still highlights that residents must be educated on the safe use of electrical devices on balconies. Regular inspections and maintenance should be encouraged to ensure appliances are functioning safely.
  • Safe Use of Barbeques: Residents should be made aware of the risks associated with using barbeques on balconies. Clear guidelines on appropriate equipment and safe usage practices could significantly reduce the number of barbeque-related fires.
  • Unknown and Other Causes: Further research and improved documentation are needed to better understand incidents classified as “Other” or “Unknown”. Better reporting could provide more clarity and help target specific causes in future safety campaigns.

Looking forward

The AliDeck Balcony Fires Report 2023-2024 provides a detailed overview of balcony fire incidents across the UK. The findings emphasise the continued need for education and vigilance to mitigate the risks associated with smoking, electrical devices, and barbeques on balconies. By implementing targeted interventions and raising public awareness, we can work together to ensure safer residential environments for everyone.

UK Fire Service Balcony Fires Statistics 2023-2024

Fire Service Balcony Fires ’23-’24 Smoking Related Electrical Faults BBQs Other
Avon Fire And Rescue 1 1 0 0 0
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service 0 0 0 0 0
Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service 1 0 0 0 1
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue 1 0 0 1 0
Cleveland Fire Brigade 0 0 0 0 0
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service 1 0 0 0 1
County Durham and Darlington FR 0 0 0 0 0
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service 0 0 0 0 0
Devon And Somerset Fire And Rescue Service 1 1 0 0 0
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service 4 3 0 0 1
East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service 3 2 0 1 0
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service 3 0 0 0 3
Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service 0 0 0 0 0
Greater Manchester Fire And Rescue Service 5 5 0 0 0
Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service 17 5 0 3 9
Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescure Service 3 0 0 2 1
Humberside Fire And Rescue Service 1 0 0 0 1
Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service 4 0 0 0 4
Kent Fire and Rescue Service 7 1 0 1 5
Lancashire Fire And Rescue Service 0 0 0 0 0
Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service 0 0 0 0 0
Lincolnshire Fire And Rescue Service 0 0 0 0 0
London Fire Brigade 130 72 6 6 46
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service 4 2 0 0 2
Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service 1 0 0 0 1
Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service 3 1 0 1 1
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service 3 0 0 1 2
North Wales Fire And Rescue Service 0 0 0 0 0
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service 1 1 0 0 0
Oxfordshire County Council Fire And Rescue 0 0 0 0 0
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service 2 2 0 0 0
Shropshire Fire & Rescue 0 0 0 0 0
South Yorkshire Fire And Rescue Service 2 0 0 0 2
Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service 3 0 0 0 3
Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service 1 0 0 0 1
Warwickshire County Council 0 0 0 0 0
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service 0 0 0 0 0
West Yorkshire Fire And Rescue Service 4 4 0 0 0
TOTAL 206 96 6 16 88

Comprehensive AliDeck Balcony Fire Safety Guide

Previous Balcony Fires Reports by AliDeck