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Fire Risk Hotspots: Areas With The Highest Fire Safety Concerns

A new study has analysed National Fire Chiefs Council data to reveal which areas in England and Wales (excluding London) have seen the most fire safety notices issued.
The study found that in the last two years, the highest number of fire safety notices were issued in the Leicestershire, West Yorkshire, and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service areas.
Health & Safety experts give guidance on how to spot potential fire safety concerns in your home.

Fire safety remains a major concern in England and Wales, with Fire and Rescue Services across the country issuing 752* fire safety enforcement notices outside of London so far in 2025.

To highlight the areas where the most fire safety concerns have been identified, health and safety experts, CESafety, analysed data from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) public enforcement register, examining which Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) areas (excluding London) have issued the highest number of statutory fire safety notices to building owners.

The research analysed a total of 4,108 statutory notices listed on the register over a two-year period, from 1st May 2023 to 30th April 2025.

The top 10 areas with the most fire safety concerns

Rank	Region	Number of notices (1/5/23- 30/4/2025)	Average number of notices per year	Average number of notices per month
1	Leicestershire	338	169	14.08
2	West Yorkshire	317	158.5	13.21
3	Hampshire and Isle of Wight	294	147	12.25
4	Lancashire	282	141	11.75
5	East Sussex	229	114.5	9.54
6	South Yorkshire	167	83.5	6.96
7	Kent	154	77	6.42
8	Derbyshire	150	75	6.25
9	Merseyside	142	71	5.92
10	Cheshire	139	69.5	5.79

Buildings in the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service area received the highest number of fire safety notices over the last two years, with a total of 338 notices, averaging around 14 notices per month.

West Yorkshire followed closely behind with 317 notices issued, averaging 13 notices per month. Hampshire & Isle of Wight ranked third, averaging 12 notices per month.

At the other end of the scale, buildings in Hertfordshire received just six notices over the two-year period, equivalent to one notice every four months. Cambridgeshire issued 12 notices in total, while Northumberland issued 14.

Fire safety expert at CESafety shares essential fire safety tips:

Check escape routes are clear and accessible

Make sure all doors, hallways, and windows that could be used to escape in an emergency are easy to open, not blocked by furniture or clutter, and free from trip hazards. Fire doors (if fitted) should close properly and not be propped open. All businesses should also have a written or recorded suitable Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) that has been carried out by a competent person and contains all information regarding every aspect of Fire Safety within the premises.

Make sure fire doors are working properly

If your building has fire doors, check that they close fully on their own, aren’t damaged, and aren’t propped open. Fire doors help contain fires and smoke, giving vital extra time to escape.

Test fire alarm systems regularly

Fire alarm systems should be tested weekly, with comprehensive inspections conducted every six months. They should also be serviced and maintained in accordance with the British Standard BS 5839-1. Proper documentation of all tests and servicing should be kept on-site and made available for inspection by fire authorities.

Store flammable items safely

Keep flammable materials like candles, matches, cleaning products, and cooking oils stored away from heat sources and out of children’s reach. Never leave candles or cooking unattended.

Know where fire safety equipment is and check it’s maintained

Make sure you know where any fire extinguishers, fire blankets or sprinkler systems are located. In flats or rented homes, communal fire safety equipment (such as emergency lighting, alarms, or extinguishers) should be checked and maintained by the landlord or property manager but you can report anything that looks damaged or missing.

Gary Ellis, Director at CESafety comments on the findings, “Fire safety remains a critical issue for both property owners and renters alike. Our analysis highlights the areas where Fire and Rescue Services are most actively enforcing regulations, which reflects the ongoing challenges in ensuring buildings meet essential safety standards. Whether you own or rent a building, it’s important to be aware of potential fire risks and take simple steps to protect yourself and those around you. It’s important that everyone regularly checks smoke alarms, understands the importance of fire doors, and keeps escape routes clear. Staying informed and proactive is key to preventing fire incidents and keeping communities safe.”

ENDS

Methodology:

Data was obtained from the NFCCs public register of fire notices, notices were taken from 1st May 2023 to 30th April 2025 and were broken down by each FRS area: https://nfcc.org.uk/our-services/enforcement-register/

*Total number of statutory notices for 2025 correct as of 11th June.