Kingston residents are safer than ever from house fires, according to figures released by Kingston Fire Brigade.

Accidental fires in homes were down to 105 during the period between April 2002 and March 2003 a reduction of almost 10 per cent from the same period last year.

Borough fire commander John Elwell said: "This particular reduction is very encouraging but we cannot become complacent.

"Fires in the home have the potential to kill residents so the use of smoke alarms and basic fire prevention remain vital."

There were 21 injuries as a result of accidental fires a slight increase from last year but half of those reported were from just two incidents. Over the past year, one fire death was recorded.

On December 19 last year, Harold Giles, 64, died in a blaze in his Chessington caravan home.

Two men attempted to save him after they saw smoke billowing from the caravan in Sunny Farm, Green Lane, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

In the previous year, there was also one death caused by fire.

Hoax calls were down 30 per cent a reduction the brigade puts down to visiting local schools to warn against making bogus calls and a new partnership with British Telecom in which public telephones used for 999 calls can be identified.

Vehicle arson, although down 33 per cent from 135 incidents to 90 this year, is still an issue police and the fire brigade are desperate to tackle.

This year, taxpayers will have to foot a £450,000 bill for damage carried out by car arsonists in the borough.

This is calculated according to Home Office figures which estimate each car costs £5,000 in police and fire brigade time and repairs to damaged roads.

Chief Inspector Tim Pointer said: "When police and the fire brigade are out attending to car arsons, they're not doing what they could be doing. What appears to be fun for someone could result in loss of life by us not being available in time."

May 30, 2003 09:30