Staffordshire fire injuries 'lowest ever'

The number of serious injuries from accidental house fires in Staffordshire is at its lowest level in Staffordshire Fire and Rescue's history.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue said 27 people were seriously injured in the county in the last year, six of whom died.

That compares with 39 injuries in the previous year, and significantly lower than 270 in as recently as 1999.

Chief Fire Officer Peter Dartford said it was partly due to preventative work.

Last year more than 30,000 free home fire risk checks were carried out by the organisation, despite making cuts worth £2.4m.

The service said smoke alarms had also made a big difference over the years.

Mr Dartford said the service was also lobbying for greater use of sprinklers, particularly in the homes of elderly people, who remained the group most at risk of injury from fire.