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- In the UK , Fire killed 643 people and injured 18,170 last year
- Over 70% of businesses involved in a major fire either do not reopen, or subsequently fail within 3 years of fire
- 67% of all fires occur at times when buildings are closed - after 6pm
- The total fire claims for commercial premises reached almost £679 million in 1999 - almost £2 million a day
- There are 128 fires in workplaces every day
- In an average week, arson results in:
* 3,500 deliberately started fires
* 50 injuries
* 2 deaths
* a cost to society of at least £25 million
The employer must do more...
Fire service data shows that there has been a continued long-term increase in the number of deliberate fires attended by the fire service; which may be due in part, but not all, to better fire investigation techniques by brigades.
In 1989, there were 38,700 fires started deliberately, representing about a quarter of all primary fires. By 1999, this had risen to a total of 91,000 deliberately set fires - an increase of 135%.
Schools
Each year more than 1300 schools in England and Wales suffer from fires that together reach costs of £60 million. Along with the financial disruption, there are also the other consequences, such as administrative and educational costs of transferring both staff and pupils to other schools in the area. In 1995, 75% of school fires were the result of malicious intent causing £31 million worth of damage. Just 9 malicious fires caused more than £13 million in damage in schools, with just one arson attack causing £2.5 million in damage. Any school is at risk, whether they are large urban schools, or small rural ones. The essential matter is to reduce the risk of fire by putting effective implementations in place.
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