Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service launches new campaign to reduce the number of house fires caused by smoking

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Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is emphasising the importance of the safe handling and disposal of cigarettes and other smoking materials, after firefighters attended more than 150 smoking-related accidental dwelling fires between 2020 and 2025.

Eight people died in smoking-related accidental house fires over the same period, with the highest number of incidents recorded in Derby and the High Peak district.

Careless disposal of cigarettes and other smoking materials is the leading cause across Derbyshire. It accounts for nearly three quarters of the total 152 incidents recorded over the five-year period, including three of the eight fatalities recorded county-wide.

The second leading cause is careless handling resulting from a loss of awareness, with incidents often involving people who have fallen asleep or become unconscious due to health conditions, medication or drug use.

While this represents a smaller number of incidents, it accounts for half of the total eight fatalities recorded between 2020 and 2025 across all of Derbyshire.

The data suggests the greatest risk is among people who live alone, older residents, those with health or mobility issues, and people whose awareness may be affected by medication, alcohol or drugs.

It also highlights clear opportunities for targeted prevention.  As a result, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service has developed a safety campaign to raise awareness of the everyday smoking behaviours that can contribute to these fires. Key prevention messages include:

• Always extinguish cigarettes and smoking materials before disposing of them.
• Use a suitable ashtray and never let it overflow.
• Never throw cigarettes from windows, balconies or doorways.
• Avoid smoking in bed or on a sofa.
• Do not smoke when tired, drowsy, unwell, or after consuming alcohol or drugs.
• Keep cigarettes and smoking materials away from bedding, furniture, rubbish and other combustible materials.

Station Manager for Prevention at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, Paul Cockerton said: “Our objective with this campaign is simple: to reduce the number of smoking-related accidental dwelling fires and prevent the injuries and loss of life they can cause.

“The incidents we’ve attended in Derbyshire show that a moment of inattention can have devastating consequences. Although smoking materials account for a relatively small proportion of accidental dwelling fires, they remain the leading source of ignition for accidental dwelling fire deaths in England.

“By working with partner organisations, community groups, and social and private landlords, we aim to reach those most at risk across Derbyshire with simple advice that could prevent a devastating fire.

“We encourage smokers, as well as their families, friends and carers, to visit our website for more fire safety advice and to complete our free online Home Fire Safety Check. This tool provides personalised fire safety advice and can identify whether additional support, including a Home Fire Safety Visit from one of our team, may be beneficial.”

For more practical advice on reducing the risk of accidental fires caused by smoking in the home, please visit the Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service website.

Data cited:

• Incident data from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service over the past five years (between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2025).
• Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Detailed analysis of fires and response times to fires attended by fire and rescue services, England. Government fire statistics consistently show that smoking materials account for a relatively small proportion of accidental dwelling fires but are responsible for a disproportionately high number of fire deaths.

  For example, in 2024/25, smokers’ materials were the source of ignition in around 6.7% of accidental dwelling fires but caused 25% of accidental dwelling fire fatalities, making them the largest single source of ignition for fire deaths in England.