Cheshire Fire Authority's annual report for 2019/20, which was released yesterday, reveals a pleasing reduction in the number of fire incidents in our area.

The overall number of fires attended in the county this year was 2,378, which is over 2,000 fewer than in 2009/10.

In Cheshire West and Chester from 1st April 2019 to 31st March 2020, fire and rescue teams recorded 320 primary fires, or, in other words, fires that caused harm to people or property.

Although the number of such incidents had risen by eight since the previous year, the proportion of primary fires per 100,000 of the population had fallen from 104.15 in 2017/18 to 93.28 in 2019/20.

With three deaths unfortunately caused by accidental house fires this year, fatalities were up slightly from 0.59 to 0.87 per 100,000 people.

However, there were only five serious and eight slight injuries in 2019/20, working out at 3.79 per 100,000 as opposed to 5.92 two years ago.

Accidental fires in the home had increased slightly year on year from 100 to 109, but the majority of these were not serious, and 95% stayed in the room where the fire started.

In Cheshire as a whole, 318 accidental fires in the home were attended in 2019/20. That's the lowest number recorded in the last 10 years.

Working through lockdown

In the report, the Fire Service said: "The outbreak of Covid-19 has caused significant changes to everyone's work and personal lives, and the Service has risen to the unprecedented challenges posed by the global pandemic every step of the way.

"We have been providing extra services to ensure that the needs of the people of Cheshire are met.

"Since the start of lockdown the Service has been working closely with local authorities and health partners to determine ways in which our skills, resources and vehicles can be best utilised to support the requirements of the community.

"The Service was inundated with offers from staff and volunteers wanting to help in any way that they can.

"A vast number of existing and former CFRS staff signed up to support the community of Cheshire in their spare time."

Cheshire Fire and Rescue vehicles have also been used "for everything from transporting staff to Covid-19 testing centres to delivering vital blood and tissue samples and breast milk donations.

"We have delivered thousands of emergency food parcels and prescription medication packages to the most vulnerable people in our community, allowing those most at risk to stay at home.

"The Service has also supported the bulk distribution of personal protection equipment for colleagues in both health and care settings, as well as a programme of face mask fit testing for the NHS."

Among other things, the Service has so far carried out 8,134 deliveries of prescription medication, 4,223 food collections and deliveries, and has taken 121 Free School Meals to eligible households during the summer holidays.

Read the full report here.