Fire
Most fires start accidentally. Whether at home or outdoors, the consequences can be devastating. Fires can damage homes, businesses, and infrastructure, and can also put lives at risk.
Taking time to understand why fires start, and how you can prevent them, will help you keep yourself, others, and your property safe.
Who is most at risk
Fire can affect anyone, but some people face a higher risk. These include:
- older adults
- people who live alone
- people who smoke at home
- people with physical mobility issues
Preventing a fire
You can reduce the risk of fire by making small, everyday changes. Find practical advice on our fire safety webpage.
What to do during a fire
If you are caught in a fire:
- Get out, stay out, and call 999 immediately
- Do not tackle fires yourself – leave it to the professionals
- If there is smoke, stay low where the air is clearer and close doors behind you if you can, to slow the spread
- Alert others by shouting 'HELP FIRE!'
- If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll to extinguish the flames
After a fire
Once the emergency services confirm it is safe, you can return to the property. You should:
- seek medical attention if you feel unwell
- take photos of any damage
- contact your insurance provider, letting agent, or landlord
- arrange for doors and windows to be boarded up
- find temporary accommodation until it is safe to return
Remember: get out, stay out, and call 999.
Stay prepared and informed
See how you can build personal resilience before an emergency, including creating a grab bag and knowing who to contact, on our preparing yourself and others for an emergency page.
Remember, if you need urgent support, help is always available. Call 999 in an emergency or 101 for non-urgent situations.
For trusted updates and local information during an emergency, visit our staying informed in an emergency page.