Number of people hurt in property fires halved in past decade

The statistics compare April 2003 to March 2004 and April 2013 to March this year.

The number of property fires involving casualties dropped dramatically by 54 per cent from 3,183 to 1,465.

And the number of people injured or killed in accidental fires in homes was reduced by almost half from 50 to 27.

Meanwhile figures for accidental fires in homes dropped from 629 to 564.

Grass fires have also seen a major 66 per cent reduction from 2,584 to 886 while small fires have decreased by 60 per cent from 3,398 to 1,370.

Staffordshire's chief fire officer Peter Dartford said: "I am delighted with the major reduction in the number of incidents, across the board that we have attended in 2013/2014 compared to a decade previously.

"The proactive work that we are carrying out as a service, often in partnership with partner organisations, is really paying off and proves that prevention is at least as effective and far better and cheaper than cure.

"The figures are a testament to everyone who works for and with the fire and rescue service in Staffordshire and I am immensely proud of all the hard work that has gone into achieving these results."

He added: "However, despite the success we have recorded, we will not become complacent. "Any fire or other emergency that causes harm or distress within our communities is one too many.

"We remain absolutely committed to further reducing the number of incidents we attend and we will continue to strive to do so in the future."

Chairman of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Authority, Len Bloomer, added: "The service has changed and modernised its approach in the past 10 years and these results clearly show how much that has benefitted the people of this county, with figures going down year on year.

"The difference that a decade has made is quite staggering and is something that the entire service should be incredibly proud of.

"One of the best things about our fire and rescue service is the fact it has taken challenges head on and has led the way to present truly innovative and effective solutions.

"It is perhaps an example that should be followed across the public sector."