A study has been made of all fires in dwellings attended by Local
Authority Fire Brigades in one year (1956) and this note is concerned with
the causes of these fires. About half are connected with heating appliances
of which the open fire occurs most frequently. Cooking appliances,
miscellaneous electrical equipment and installations, and smoking materials
are all frequently encountered as sources of ignition. About half the
fires appear to result from some action or omission (through ignorance or
carelessness) on the part of the occupants.