England recorded 1,665 chimney fires in 2025/26, down 18.3% from the revised 2,039 in 2024/25. This page brings together the official annual, regional and seasonal figures, with practical maintenance advice and sources at the end. England’s figures are distinguished from the separate statistics published for the other UK nations.
Key facts and figures
- 1,665 chimney fires attended in England in the year ending March 2026.
- Down 18.3% from the revised 2,039 chimney fires in 2024/25.
- Down 60.4% over ten years, from 4,207 in 2015/16.
- 0.98% of all 170,597 fires attended in England in 2025/26 were classified as chimney fires.
- 135 chimney fires in Devon and Somerset, the largest English service-area count in 2025/26.
- 41.7% of England’s 2025/26 chimney fires occurred in January to March 2026 (695 incidents).
- 299 chimney fires in January 2026, the highest monthly count in 2025/26.
- 20% or less moisture content for wood certified as Ready to Burn in England.
Checked on 15 October 2026 using MHCLG tables FIRE0102 and FIRE0802. Earlier years have been revised in the latest tables; comparisons here use those revised figures.
How many chimney fires are there in the UK per year?
England recorded 1,665 chimney fires in 2025/26, according to MHCLG table FIRE0102. These are fires confined within a chimney that do not meet the definition of a primary fire. A more serious fire spreading into a building, or involving casualties or rescue, can be classified as a primary fire instead.
Chimney fires accounted for 1,665 of England’s 170,597 attended fires, or about 0.98%. Dividing by all 641,227 fire-service incidents would produce a different measure because that larger total also includes false alarms and non-fire incidents.
These totals cover England. Wales reported 191 chimney fires in 2025/26. Scotland and Northern Ireland publish separate incident statistics; an England total should not be presented as a UK total.
What causes most chimney fires?
Soot and tar deposits can ignite inside a chimney. Defra warns that burning wet wood increases smoke and tar deposits, maintenance requirements and chimney-fire risk. A chimney fire may damage the flue or spread to nearby combustible material.
The maintenance and fuel precautions are:
- Regular sweeping: remove deposits and obstructions and arrange checks for defects.
- Suitable fuel: use the fuel recommended for the appliance and check that wood is dry.
- Correct operation: follow the manufacturer’s ventilation and burning instructions; do not block air supplies.
In England, wood sold in volumes below two cubic metres must be certified as Ready to Burn, confirming a moisture content of 20% or less. Manufactured solid fuels have separate smoke and sulphur requirements. Follow the appliance manufacturer’s instructions and any local smoke-control restrictions.
A blocked or poorly maintained flue can also allow carbon monoxide to enter a room. Our carbon monoxide poisoning statistics guide covers the separate CO data and alarm advice.
How often should you have your chimney swept?
HETAS advises sweeping at least twice a year when burning wood and at least once a year when burning smokeless fuel. The appropriate interval also depends on use, the appliance and professional advice.
The incident tables do not record household sweeping frequency. They cannot show what proportion of fires was caused by owners who missed a sweep, so maintenance-survey responses should not be treated as a breakdown of fire causes.
Arrange sweeping and any servicing before using an appliance after a long break, and keep to the schedule recommended for it. These precautions reduce avoidable hazards but do not guarantee that a fire cannot occur.
Are chimney fires becoming more or less common?
England’s chimney-fire count fell from 4,207 in 2015/16 to 1,665 in 2025/26, a decrease of 60.4%. The latest annual fall was 18.3%, from a revised 2,039 in 2024/25.
The latest series gives 5,191 chimney fires in 2014/15. That is an older comparison point, eleven years before 2025/26. Comparing a historical UK total with a current England total would mix different geographical coverage.
The figures show fewer attended chimney fires. They do not establish whether changes in appliance ownership, weather, fuel or maintenance caused the decline. The comparable official measures are:
| Measure | Figure | Data period |
|---|---|---|
| Chimney fires attended in England | 1,665 | 2025/26 |
| Chimney fires the previous year | 2,039 | 2024/25, revised |
| Year-on-year change | Down 18.3% | 2024/25 to 2025/26 |
| Chimney fires a decade earlier | 4,207 | 2015/16 |
| Change over the decade | Down 60.4% | 2015/16 to 2025/26 |
| Earlier England comparison | 5,191 | 2014/15, revised |
| Share of all England fires | 0.98% | 1,665 of 170,597, 2025/26 |
| January to March chimney fires | 695 (41.7%) | England, January–March 2026 |
Where are the UK’s chimney fire hotspots?
Devon and Somerset recorded 135 chimney fires in 2025/26, the largest count among English fire and rescue service areas in MHCLG table FIRE0102.
Dorset and Wiltshire recorded 89, Kent 74 and Hampshire and Isle of Wight 63. Hereford and Worcester and North Yorkshire were tied on 62. The table lists the leading areas, combining the tied fifth place in one row:
| Fire and rescue service | Chimney fires | Data period |
|---|---|---|
| Devon and Somerset | 135 | 2025/26 |
| Dorset and Wiltshire | 89 | 2025/26 |
| Kent | 74 | 2025/26 |
| Hampshire and Isle of Wight | 63 | 2025/26 |
| Hereford and Worcester / North Yorkshire | 62 each | 2025/26 |
These are counts, not rates per household or per working chimney. Service areas differ in size and appliance use, so the ranking does not identify where an individual household faces the highest risk.
When do most chimney fires happen?
England recorded 695 chimney fires between January and March 2026, representing 41.7% of the 2025/26 annual total. January had the highest monthly count, with 299, followed by December 2025 with 277.
MHCLG table FIRE0802 also adjusts for different month lengths: January averaged 9.6 chimney fires a day and December 8.9, compared with 4.6 across the year.
The winter concentration supports planning maintenance before the heating season. It does not show that a single maintenance measure eliminates the risk, or that every year follows exactly the same monthly pattern.
Frequently asked questions
How many chimney fires are there in the UK per year?
England recorded 1,665 chimney fires in 2025/26 and Wales recorded 191. These are separate national totals. The England count is down 18.3% from the revised previous year.
What causes most chimney fires?
Soot and tar deposits in a chimney can ignite. Wet wood, unsuitable fuel, obstructions and poor maintenance can increase hazards, but the national incident tables do not provide a percentage attributable to each household behaviour.
How often should you have your chimney swept?
HETAS advises at least twice a year when burning wood and at least annually when burning smokeless fuel. Follow the appliance instructions and advice from a qualified sweep for your usage.
Are chimney fires becoming more or less common?
The England count fell 60.4% over the decade, from 4,207 in 2015/16 to 1,665 in 2025/26. These are comparable England figures, not a comparison between an old UK total and a new England total.
Where do the most chimney fires happen in England?
Devon and Somerset had the largest service-area count in 2025/26, with 135, followed by Dorset and Wiltshire with 89 and Kent with 74. Counts are not adjusted for the number of homes or chimneys.
What time of year are chimney fires most common?
In England in 2025/26, 41.7% occurred in January to March. January 2026 had 299, the highest monthly count that year. Arrange maintenance before the appliance returns to regular use.
Related guides
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Statistics UK: Deaths, Incidents & Alarms
- Smoke Alarm Statistics UK: Ownership, Failures & Lives Saved
- Candle Fire Statistics UK: Fires, Deaths & Seasonal Trends
- UK Fire Classes Explained: A, B, C, D, F (and L)
- Who Is Responsible for Fire Extinguishers in the UK?
Sources & references
All statistics on this page are drawn from the following official and industry sources:
- MHCLG — FIRE0102 incident counts and FIRE0802 monthly fire data, 2025/26
- MHCLG — Fire and rescue incident statistics, England, year ending March 2026
- Welsh Government — Fire and rescue incident statistics, 2025/26
- Defra — Burn Better: fuel, maintenance and chimney-fire advice
- Defra — Selling wood for domestic use in England
- HETAS — Consumer guidance on sweeping and servicing
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Mark writes about workplace health & safety, fire safety awareness and accredited online training for Fire Safety Awareness Training, part of Online CPD Academy.