Around 4,000 house fires across the UK every year are caused by faulty electrics, according to the Home Office.

Appliances, wiring and overloaded sockets have the potential to destroy properties and cause serious damage.

Recently, JF Law (of which Legal Expert trades under) secured a six-figure settlement for a mum whose two children were killed in a devastating house fire in Cambridgeshire in December 2022. 

The mother, Jade Horton – shattered major bones in her body – including both her legs after leaping from a second-storey window to escape the blaze. 

Her two children, Isaac, aged 3 and Sienna, aged 7 did not survive. 

In March 2022, an inquest heard how a ‘perfect storm of bad luck’ effectively created a chimney in the home allowing the fire to spread rapidly from three-year-old, Isaac’s first-floor bedroom – up the staircase and into the bedroom of seven-year-old Sienna. 

Fire Investigation Officer from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Peter Jones explained to the court how on the balance of probabilities, the fire started in the first floor bedroom, from an electronic device at the foot of Isaac’s bed thought to be a TV.

Through rigorous investigation, Head of Serious Injury and Multi Track at JF Law, Clare Morris has managed to finally secure a settlement for the grieving mum.

She said: “This is the most tragic case I’ve ever dealt with. I am deeply honoured to have been able to assist in this small way and to have helped Jade get the result she so deeply deserves.

“Nothing can replace what she has lost but I hope settling the claims brings some peace and comfort.”

Ms Morris, of JF Law, had noticed that at the 2022 inquest, fire investigator Mr Jones had mentioned that officers had found a screen frame in the debris at the seat of the fire. 

Following enquiries with the police, it was established that the screen frame and some components of the “electrical product” were held in evidence.

An engineer was then instructed to collect and inspect the remnants to establish whether it was indeed a television and if so, who the manufacturer was. 

After some initial resistance, the manufacturer of the television agreed to compensate Jade and negotiations resulted in a six-figure settlement. 

How Legal Expert Can Help You

Legal Expert has a team of specialist personal injury solicitors who are experienced in electrical fire claims. If you’d like free advice and support and to check if you can claim personal injury compensation, get in touch with us for free using the number at the top of this page, or send us a message via our live chat.

How We Conducted Our Research Into Electrical House Fires

The incident prompted Legal Expert to conduct an investigation into Electrical Fires across the UK. 

We sent Freedom of Information Requests to 50 Fire and Rescue Services nationwide, asking for the number of electrical fires in domestic properties in the last three years as well as, how many were caused by electrical products. 

Legal Expert also enquired as to the most common products to cause electrical fires in the home as well as the number of fatalities and injuries the fire service has recorded as a result of such fires in the last three years. 

See the results broken down by local Fire and Rescue Service below:

Statistics on Electrical House Fires In Every UK Area

Jump to:

• London
• North East
• North West
• Yorkshire
• East Midlands
• West Midlands
• South East
• East of England
• South West
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

London

London Fire Brigade

Number of electrical fires in the home

2021 – 2719

2022 – 2650

2023 – 2565

2024 – 1279

Total: 9213

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Faulty fuel supplies – Electricity | 3,729
2. Cooking – other cooking | 2,964
3. Fault in equipment or appliance | 2,663
4. Combustible articles too close to
   heat source (or fire) | 1,089
5. Overheating, unknown cause | 971

Fatalities and Injuries (From Electrical Fires Only) 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 25

Injuries: 1081

North East

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 163

2022/23 – 143

20223/23 – 151

Total: 457

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plugs| 190
2. Cooker incl. oven | 101
3. Tumble Dryer| 57
4. Electricity supply – Apparatus – batteries, generators | 39
5. Other appliance or equipment | 35

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 0

Injuries: 74

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 297

2022/23 – 298

20223/23 – 304

Total: 899

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker incl. oven| 391
2. Tumble Dryer| 54
3. Grill/Toaster| 46
4. Microwave| 41
5. Washing Machine| 34

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 1

Injuries: 12

North West

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 86

2022/23 – 86

20223/23 – 92

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Electricity supply – wiring, cabling plugs | 175
2. Electricity Supply – Apparatus – batteries, generators | 46
3. Other domestic style appliances – tumble dryer | 24
4. Other domestic style appliances – Fridge/Freezer | 14
5. Electric Lighting – Other Lights | 12

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 3

Serious Injuries: 1

Slight Injuries: 10

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 759

2022/23 – 903

20223/23 – 945

Total: 2607

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 5

Injuries: 769

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 502

2022/23 – 454

20223/23 – 444

Total: 1400

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

• Cooking appliance – Cooker incl. oven
• Electricity supply – Apparatus – batteries, generators
• Cooking appliance – Ring/hot place (separate appliance)
• Cooking appliance – Grill/Toaster
• Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plugs

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 5

Injuries:

• Victim went to hospital, injuries appear to be Serious | 16
• Victim went to hospital, injuries appear to be Slight | 23

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 516

2022/23 – 449

20223/23 – 445

Total: 1410

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused (Between 2021/24)

1. Cooking appliance – Cooker incl oven| 475
2. Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plugs | 273
3. Cooking appliance – Grill/toaster | 132
4. Cooking appliance – Ring/hot plate (separate appliance) | 130
5. Cooking appliance – Microwave oven | 69

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 4

Serious Injuries: 24

Slight Injuries: 98

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 295

2022/23 – 445

20223/23 – 440

Total: 1180

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker incl. oven | 558
2. Wiring, cabling, plugs| 377
3. Microwave Oven| 137
4. Grill/Toaster| 96
5. Tumble Dryer| 82

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 4

Injury: 36

Yorkshire

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between 2021-2024)

2021/22 – 410

2022/23 – 350

20223/23 – 367

Total: 1,127

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused 

1. Cooker Inc. Oven | 450
2. Wiring, Cabling, Plugs | 293
3. Microwave Oven | 74
4. Ring or Hot Plate | 81
5. Grill/ Toaster| 48

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 4

Injuries (Serious/Slight): 171

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 124

2022/23 – 145

20223/23 – 116

Total: 385

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused 

1. Tumble Dryer| 59
2. Other Domestic Style Appliance| 34
3. Washing Machine| 31
4. Fridge/Freezer| 17
5. Other Heating Equipment | 9

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 1

Injuries (Hospital): 58

Injuries (First Aid): 41

East Midlands

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 99

2022/23 – 98

20223/23 – 119

Total: 316

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Wiring, cabling plugs | 222
2. Electrical Fault | 119
3. Apparatus – Batteries/Generators| 76
4. Tumble Dryer | 55
5. Fluorescent Lights | 18

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 6

Injuries: 16

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 119

2022/23 – 136

20223/23 – 140

Total: 395

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Wiring, cabling plugs | 143
2. Grill/Toaster | 44
3. Tumble Dryer| 39
4. Apparatus – Batteries/Generators | 37
5. Microwave Oven | 25

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 2

Injuries: 29

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 189

2022/23 – 166

20223/23 – 180

Total: 535

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooking appliance – Cooker inc. oven | 191
2. Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plus | 116
3. Cooking appliance – Ring/ hot plate (separate appliance)| 54
4. Other domestic style appliance – Tumble dryer | 46
5. Cooking appliance – Microwave oven | 45

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 2

Injuries: 129

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 142

2022/23 – 133

20223/23 – 139

Total: 414

Top Five Appliance Causes

• Extractor fan
• Dishwasher
• Refrigerator
• Tumble dryer
• Washing machine

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 0

Total Casualties: 23

West Midlands

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 109

2022/23 – 104

20223/23 – 105

Total: 318

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Tumble Dryer| 32
2. Apparatus, batteries, generators | 44
3. Washing machine| 18
4. Cooker | 7
5. Fridge/Freezer | 7

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 2

Injuries: Precautionary check recommended (10), First aid given at the scene (5), Victim went to hospitals injuries appeared to be slight (13)

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 119

2022/23 – 125

20223/23 – 138

Total: 382

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

• Cooking appliance-Cooker incl. oven
• Electricity supply-Wiring, cabling, plugs
• Cooking appliance-Grill/Toaster
• Cooking appliance-Microwave oven
• Electricity supply-Apparatus – batteries, generators

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 3

Slight Injuries: 0

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 295

2022/23 – 445

20223/23 – 440

Total: 1,180

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

• Cooker incl. oven | 558
• Wiring, Cabling and Plugs | 377
• Grill/Toaster | 135
• Microwave Oven | 67
• Tumble Dryer | 51

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 4

Injuries: 36

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 36

2022/23 – 54

20223/23 – 51

Total: 141

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Wiring, Cabling, Plugs| 27
2. Tumble Dryer| 17
3. Dishwasher| 4
4. Microwave| 4
5. Cooker| 3

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 0

Slight Injuries: 15

South East

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 321

2022/23 – 247

20223/23 – 316

Total: 884

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker incl. oven | 293
2. Ring/hot plate (separate appliance) | 98
3. Microwave Oven | 66
4. Grill/Toaster | 49
5. Electric Lighting | 14

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 1

Serious Injuries: 5

Slight Injuries: 39

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 143

2022/23 – 128

20223/23 – 139

Total: 410

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

• Cooker incl. oven
• Fluorescent lights
• Extractor Fan
• Fridge/Freezer
• Tumble dryer

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 4

Injuries:

• Victim went to hospital, injuries appear to be Serious 0
• Victim went to hospital, injuries appear to be Slight 3
• First aid given at scene 12
• Precautionary check recommended

Kent Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 316

2022/23 – 363

20223/23 – 312

Total: 991

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker incl. oven | 289
2. Wiring, cabling, plugs | 264
3. Tumble dryer | 98
4. Ring/hot plate (separate appliance) | 88
5. Grill/Toaster | 64

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 5 or fewer

Injuries: 109

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 305

2022/23 – 255

20223/23 – 276

Total: 836

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker Inc. Oven | 294
2. Wiring, Cabling and Plugs | 308
3. Apparatus – Batteries/Generators | 102
4. Ring/Hot Plate | 72
5. Grill/ Toaster | 47

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 0

Slight Injuries: 149

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 43

2022/23 – 38

20223/23 – 45

Total: 126

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Faulty fuel supply – electricity | 65
2. Fault in equipment or appliance | 32
3. Overheating, unknown cause | 21
4. Faulty leads to equipment or appliance | 4
5. Negligent use of equipment or appliance (heat source) | 4

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 1

Slight Injuries: 5

East of England

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 183

2022/23 – 193

20223/23 – 209

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Wiring, cabling plugs | 254
2. Cooker incl. oven | 188
3. Electrical Fault | 172
4. Apparatus – batteries, generators| 104
5. Ring/hot plate (separate appliance) | 59

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 5

Injuries: 80

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between 2021-2024)

2021/22 – 357

2022/23 – 352

20223/23 – 347

Total: 1,056

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 246

2022/23 – 288

20223/23 – 319

Total: 853

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker Incl. oven
2. Wiring/Cables/plugs
3. Electrical Fault
4. Ring or Hotplate
5. Microwave

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: Less than 5

Injured (incl. rescue with injury): 54

Rescued (rescue with injury): 38

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 123

2022/23 – 108

20223/23 – 90

Total: 321

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Wiring, Cabling, Plugs | 118
2. Washing Machine | 32
3. Cooker Incl. Oven| 27
4. Tumble Dryer | 26
5. Fridge/Freezer | 10

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 1

Injuries: 25

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 233

2022/23 – 202

20223/23 – 216

Total: 651

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker incl oven | 268
2. Wiring, Cabling , Plugs| 164
3. Electrical Fault| 160
4. Ring/Hot Plate| 78
5. Tumble Dryer| 37

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 3

Injury (Incl. rescue with injury): 206

Rescued (Rescue without injury): 2

South West

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 33

2022/23 – 28

20223/23 – 35

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Heater/Fire| 6
2. Extractor Fan| 3
3. Tumble Dryer| 3
4. Dishwasher| 3
5. Washing Machine | 3

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 0

Injuries: 2

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 168

2022/23 – 186

20223/23 – 175

Total: 529

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

• Tumble Dryer
• Washing Machine
• Fluorescent Lights
• Fridge/Freezer
• Dishwasher

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 1

Serious Injurie: 1

Slight Injuries: 40

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 163

2022/23 – 153

20223/23 – 162

Total: 478

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plugs| 169
2. Electricity supply – Apparatus – batteries,
   generators| 34
3. Other domestic style appliance – Tumble dryer| 27
4. Other domestic style appliance – Washing
   machine| 25
5. Other appliance or equipment | 13

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Injuries: 22

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 178

2022/23 – 180

20223/23 – 180

Top Five Appliance Causes 

1. Cooker incl. oven
2. Wiring, cabling, plugs
3. Microwave oven
4. Electrical Fault
5. Apparatus – batteries, generators

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 2

Injuries: 131

Wales

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 313

2022/23 – 276

20223/23 – 286

Total: 875

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker incl oven | 297
2. Wiring, Cabling , Plugs| 164
3. Ring/Hot Plate| 90
4. Tumble Dryer| 70
5. Apparatus – batteries/generators | 51

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 7

Electrical Fires Attended Casualties: 91

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 261

2022/23 – 227

20223/23 – 225

Total: 713

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker incl. oven | 335
2. Tumble Dryers| 53
3. Microwave Oven| 49
4. Grill/Toaster| 40
5. Heaters/Fires | 26

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 3

Injury: 41

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 368

2022/23 – 348

20223/23 – 394

Total: 1110

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooking Appliance | 417
2. Other Domestic Style Applicance | 97
3. Heating Equipment | 89
4. Electric Lighting | 63
5. Industrial Equiment | 47

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 9

Casualties: 258

Rescues: 64