THERE has been a "disappointing" rise in the number of house fires in the Bradford District - new figures have revealed.

Details of the number of incidents firefighters were called to in the 12 months from March 2019 to April 2020 have been released by West Yorkshire Fire Service.

They show that while there has been a reduction in many types of fire - house fire rose by around six per cent.

Fires caused by cooking and faulty electrical equipment are a "constant theme" when it comes to house fires in Bradford, according to the fire service.

Five house fires reported across Bradford in 24 hours

A report going to West Yorkshire Fire Authority's Community Safety Committee on Friday shows that there were 341 dwelling fires last year - compared to 322 the previous year.

The rise means the service missed its "target" of dwelling fire incidents by over 12 per cent service had hoped to reduce the number of house fires to no more than 304 a year in Bradford.

Despite this, the numbers of other incidents in Bradford the service has been called to has fallen - in some cases drastically.

Members will hear that the number of arson incidents in Bradford has fallen from 2,567 in 2018/19 to 1,870 last year.

The majority of "primary" arson incidents involved car fires, while many secondary arsons involved waste being set on fire or illegal bonfires.

There was a fall in the number of non-domestic building fires - from 98 to 87, and fire related injuries, down from 61 to 42.

Fire crews were also called out to fewer car crashes.

Referring to the rise in house fires, the report says: "The number of dwelling fires over the last year is disappointing with Bradford showing an increase of around six per cent in comparison to last year’s figures; this equates to 19 additional incidents.

"Fire crews and the District Prevention Team continue to use a targeted approach to provide the Safe and Well strategy to homes within the district, focusing on the most vulnerable individuals who are identified, in the main, by our partners.

"Both cooking and electrical fires continue to be a constant theme when we look at cause and these are areas which personnel pay specific attention to when delivering education to the occupants of properties.

"We are determined to drive down the number of dwelling fires and are confident in our long-term fire prevention strategy."

Referring to the drop in primary arson incidents, the report says: "Interrogating the data, we can identify that the majority of the incidents were vehicle fires.

"Bradford district continues to work with Neighbourhood Policing Teams to identify ‘at risk’ locations in and around Bradford where there is regular activity. Using heightened patrols with the NPT and where possible working with Bradford Council in closing open or exposed areas of land where vehicles are abandoned and arson is committed."

On the drop in secondary arson incidents, the report adds: "Operational crews have used incident data to target ‘at risk’ areas. We are then able to identify and manage trends of secondary arson occurring.

"West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service will continue tackling arson in the district by adopting a ward approach, attending regular partnership meetings and continuing to be proactive within the community.

"An example of this is Edge End Road, Buttershaw, where we have experienced a high volume of calls. We worked with partners and the local community to identify potential offenders.

"Agencies came together to provide distraction techniques for particular individuals such as free recreational activity and the impact was a reduction in incidents and positive engagement with the surrounding community. Barriers were also placed strategically to deter access."

The committee meets online on Friday morning.