By Dave King
Daily Record
EDINBURGH, Scotland — A fire boss has hit out after blaze deaths soared — with many victims drunk or drugged up.
Last year, 73 Scots perished in fires - an increase of 62 per cent — with drink being a factor in almost half.
Chief inspector of fire services Keith MacGillivray called for more automatic sprinkler systems to be installed in homes.
And he said: “This tragic loss of life due to fire in Scotland cannot be allowed to increase any further.
“It is clear that action must be taken to help those who cannot help themselves in the event of fire. In many cases, the deceased has been unable to react to the smoke alarm due to drink, drugs, medication or medical infirmity.”
The report said 13 people died last year, despite their smoke alarm working properly.
MacGillivray added: “In almost all cases where a fatal fire occurred in a dwelling house, had the house been fitted with an automatic sprinkler system the death would have been prevented.”
He singled out Angus Council for praise after they agreed to fit sprinklers in all new social housing.
The most common causes of fires were dropped cigarettes, followed by cooking.
Most of the fatal fires happened in the living room, followed by the kitchen.
Last night, Fire Brigades Union Scottish secretary Ken Ross said: “These figures are shocking. What makes them even worse is that they come during a period when fire and rescue services are continuing to cut front-line emergency cover.”
Community safety minister Fergus Ewing is expected to raise the sprinkler issue with council chiefs later this week.
He said: “The stark fact that alcohol was a contributory factor in 41 per cent of fatal dwelling house fires highlights why the Scottish government are tackling the culture of alcohol misuse that is costing Scotland dearly.”
The report also found that attacks on firefighters had fallen from 275 to 228.
But new figures published for the first time showed that 47 non-operational staff, mainly community fire safety officers who check alarms and advise householders on fire security, had also been assaulted.
Ewing added: “I welcome the progress in reducing the number of attacks on frontline fire crews.”
Copyright 2008 Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mail Ltd.