Norfolk among lowest areas for smoking and vaping house fires

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 09:32 · Archive

Norfolk has one of the lowest rates of house fires caused by cigarettes and vaping materials in England, according to data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Between April 2023 and March 2026, there were 1,355 accidental house fires in the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service area, with 58 attributed to smoking materials. This represents 4.3 per cent of accidental house fires in the county and places Norfolk seventh lowest among England's 43 fire and rescue areas.

The figure sits below the national average. Nationally, smoking materials accounted for 1,819 of the 23,795 accidental house fires recorded in England during the same period, or around 7.6 per cent. In the year to March 2026 alone, smoking materials caused 20 out of 470 accidental house fires in Norfolk.

Shane Margereson, founder of UK vaping retailer Ecigone, cautioned that cigarettes and vaping materials can smoulder for an extended period before igniting. 'Once one is put down, it can keep smouldering, and if it ends up in a bin, down the side of a sofa or on a duvet, it can be a long time before anyone notices,' he said.

Norfolk among lowest areas for smoking and vaping house fires — Image: Eastern Daily Press

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Norfolk ranks among the lowest areas for smoking and vaping-related house firesNorfolk has one of the lowest rates of house fires caused by cigarettes across the country, according to new data.Eastern Daily Press · 25 Oct, 09:00
Norfolk ranks among the lowest areas for smoking and vaping-related house firesNorfolk has one of the lowest rates of house fires caused by cigarettes across the country, according to new data.Norwich Evening News · 25 Oct, 09:00

In this story: Norfolk · England · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government · Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service · Shane Margereson · Ecigone

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