Economic and social cost of fire
This report estimates the total annual economic and social cost of fire in England using data on fires that occurred in year ending March 2020.
Applies to England
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The report provides an updated robust and reliable estimate for the total economic and social cost of fire in England in year ending March 2020. Its purpose is to inform policy development, operational decision-making and support analysts and individuals working with, and for, fire and rescue services.
The estimated total economic and social cost of fire in England in year ending March 2020 was £12.0 billion, of which £3.2 billion is marginal cost. This gives a marginal cost of £20,900 per fire attended, and £45,900 per primary fire attended. The costs are split into anticipation, consequence and response and are split out by fire type and whether the fire was classed as accidental or deliberate. Marginal cost is the cost incurred following a fire, so is the more accurate figure for estimating the impact of changing fire numbers.