Suffolk recorded the highest rate of domestic electrical fires among the areas analysed by Fusion Electrical, with one incident for every 342 homes over five years.
The research, compiled from Freedom of Information responses supplied by fire and rescue services, identified more than 20,000 electrical fires in UK homes during the period.
Northamptonshire ranked second, recording one electrical fire for every 377 homes, followed by South Yorkshire at one for every 415.
Nationally, the analysis calculated an average of approximately one electrical fire for every 1,067 homes over five years.
HOTSPOTS REVEALED
Suffolk recorded 1,068 incidents against 365,719 dwellings, while Northamptonshire reported 929 fires across 350,315 homes.
South Yorkshire had the highest total among the three leading English hotspots, with 1,533 incidents affecting a housing stock of 636,610.
Leicestershire followed at one electrical fire for every 452 homes, ahead of Royal Berkshire at one for every 572.
Mid and West Wales, Nottinghamshire, Hereford and Worcestershire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester completed the 10 areas with the highest reported rates.
James Harrison (main picture, inset), Owner of Fusion Electrical, says: “Electrical safety is something that can easily be overlooked until there is a problem. Homeowners should not wait for an electrical fault or fire before considering the condition and safety of their home’s electrical installation.
“Our aim in carrying out this research was to highlight the scale of the issue and encourage people to take electrical safety seriously.”
LOWEST REPORTED RATES
North Yorkshire recorded the lowest rate in the analysis, with 70 incidents across 404,164 homes — equivalent to one for every 5,774 properties.
Oxfordshire followed at one incident for every 5,447 homes, while Hertfordshire reported one for every 3,243.
Norfolk, West Yorkshire, the West Midlands, Surrey, Humberside, South Wales and Devon and Somerset also featured among the areas with the lowest reported rates.
The figures reflect incidents recorded by individual fire services and should be interpreted in the context of local reporting and data-collection practices.
Harrison adds: “We understand that people are having to manage finances much more closely these days, and some appliances may not feel a priority, but it’s important not to compromise on electricals.”
