Workplace fires are far less common than fires in the home, but for the businesses they affect the consequences can be devastating. This guide brings together the latest official figures on fires in non-residential (workplace) buildings across the UK — how many there are, what causes them, which sectors are most affected, how the picture has changed over the past decade, and what the compliance and enforcement data reveals. All figures are drawn from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), Gov.UK and the Fire Industry Association (FIA).
Key facts and figures
- 6,665 fires were recorded in non-residential (workplace) buildings in England in 2024/25.
- 12 fatalities occurred in non-residential building fires over the year.
- 29% fall in workplace fires over ten years — down from 9,347 in 2015/16.
- £657,074 is the average cost of a major workplace fire incident.
- £940 million a year is claimed by UK businesses on fire insurance.
- 42% of fire safety audits identified failings — and prosecutions are rising sharply.
How the UK counts workplace fires
Official statistics classify fires by the type of property involved. "Workplace" fires fall under non-residential buildings — premises such as factories, shops, offices, warehouses, hospitals, schools and hospitality venues, as distinct from dwellings and "other buildings" like sheds and outbuildings. The data in this guide covers England for the period April 2024 to March 2025, published by MHCLG in its detailed analysis of fires and its fire prevention and protection statistics.
It is worth noting that non-residential fires are a relatively small share of all fires attended — the great majority of fire deaths and injuries occur in the home. But workplaces carry a distinct legal duty of fire safety, and a single serious fire can close a business permanently.
How many workplace fires are there?
Fire and rescue services attended 6,665 fires in non-residential buildings in England in 2024/25. These fires resulted in 12 fatalities over the year. While that fatality figure is small relative to domestic fires, the wider human and financial toll — injuries, displaced staff, lost premises and disrupted supply chains — is considerable.
Workplace fires by sector
Industrial premises see the most fires of any workplace category, followed by food and drink premises and retail. The breakdown below shows the share of non-residential building fires by sector in 2024/25.
| Sector | Fires (2024/25) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial premises | 1,656 | 25% |
| Food & drink premises | 1,275 | 19% |
| Retail | 1,177 | 18% |
| Hospitality | 505 | 7.6% |
| Entertainment, culture & sport | 445 | 6.7% |
| Hospitals & medical care | 433 | 6.5% |
| Education | 417 | 6.3% |
| Agriculture | 409 | 6.1% |
| Offices & call centres | 348 | 5.2% |
Causes of workplace fires
Electrical distribution faults are the single largest identifiable cause, accounting for around 18% of incidents (about 2,126 fires). A further 50% or so are classified as "unspecified or other causes", which reflects both the difficulty of pinpointing ignition sources after a serious fire and the wide range of hazards present in commercial settings — cooking equipment, machinery, heating, hot work and combustible storage among them.
The prominence of electrical faults underlines the value of routine inspection and testing of fixed wiring and portable appliances, alongside good housekeeping to keep ignition sources away from combustible materials.
The ten-year trend
The long-term direction of travel is positive. Workplace fires have fallen by around 29% over the past decade, down from 9,347 in 2015/16 to 6,665 in 2024/25. Improved fire safety regulation, better detection and suppression systems, and rising awareness have all contributed. The data does, however, show that progress is not guaranteed — sustained compliance and competent staff remain essential to holding the line.
The cost of fire to business
Fire is expensive long after the flames are out. The average cost of a major workplace fire incident is around £657,074. Across the UK, businesses claim approximately £940 million a year on fire insurance, and once uninsured losses are included the total annual cost to business exceeds £1 billion.
The most sobering figure is the survival rate: roughly a quarter of fire-affected businesses never reopen. Set against those numbers, the cost of fire risk assessment, maintained systems and trained fire wardens is negligible.
Fire safety compliance and enforcement
Fire and rescue services carried out 51,020 fire safety audits in the latest year. Of these, only 58% were judged satisfactory — meaning 42% identified failings. Authorities issued 2,972 formal notices (up 5.3% year on year) and 18,351 informal notices, and fire safety prosecutions rose by 79% in 2023/24.
The most common breaches found during audits were:
- Article 14 — emergency routes and exits: 10,323 breaches
- Article 15 — procedures for serious and imminent danger: 8,013 breaches
- Article 8 — general fire precautions: 7,615 breaches
These breaches point directly to the basics: keeping escape routes clear and usable, having proper evacuation procedures in place, and taking general fire precautions seriously — all areas where a trained fire warden makes a measurable difference.
The legal duty: who is responsible?
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — as amended by the Fire Safety Act 2021 — the "Responsible Person" (typically the employer or building owner) is legally accountable for fire safety. That duty includes carrying out a fire risk assessment, putting general fire precautions in place, maintaining clear escape routes and appointing enough trained competent persons to assist with prevention and evacuation. Penalties for serious failings include unlimited fines and up to two years' imprisonment.
The compliance data above shows how often these duties are not met. Appointing and training fire wardens is one of the most direct, cost-effective ways for a Responsible Person to discharge their obligations and protect their people and premises.
What reduces workplace fire risk
The statistics consistently point to the same practical measures: an up-to-date fire risk assessment, electrical inspection and testing, good housekeeping to control ignition sources and combustibles, well-maintained detection and alarm systems, clear and unobstructed escape routes, and a workforce that knows the evacuation procedure. Trained fire wardens tie these together — carrying out routine checks, leading evacuations and helping keep the business on the right side of the law.
Sources & references
- MHCLG — Detailed Analysis of Fires, England (April 2024 to March 2025)
- MHCLG — Fire Prevention and Protection Statistics, England (April 2024 to March 2025)
- Gov.UK — The Economic and Social Cost of Fire
- Fire Industry Association (FIA) — Fires and Their Economic Toll on UK Businesses
- International Fire and Safety Journal — Workplace Fires
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Mark writes about workplace fire safety, compliance and accredited training for Fire Marshal Training, part of Online CPD Academy.