FOI Request 2228

Subject: Hot Work Fires

Status: Complete

Date received: September 2025

Question Asked:

Can you please share the statistics for the following points:

1. The number of fires in buildings under construction in financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/25

2. The number of fires caused by hot works buildings under construction in financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/25

3. The main causes of hot works incidents buildings under construction in financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/25

4. The number of injuries and fatalities caused by hot work incidents in the construction industry in financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/25

5. In total, how many fires were related to hot works including and excluding buildings under construction in financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/25.

For the avoidance of doubt, ‘hot works’ defines any activity that involves using open flames or heat-producing equipment, such as welding, cutting, grinding, or soldering, and poses a significant fire risk.

Our Response:

Please see our response below to your Freedom of Information Request.

1. The number of fires in buildings under construction in financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/25

   In 2023-24 there were 3 fires in buildings where the occupancy type was recorded as ‘Under Construction’. In 2024-25 there were 3 fires in buildings where the occupancy type was recorded as ‘Under Construction’.

2. The number of fires caused by hot works buildings under construction in financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/25

   In 2023-24 there were 0 fires in buildings where the occupancy type was recorded as ‘Under Construction’ caused by hot works. In 2024-25 there was 1 fire in a building where the occupancy type was recorded as ‘Under Construction’ caused by hot works.

3. The main causes of hot works incidents buildings under construction in financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/25

   The main cause of the fire in 2024-25 was ‘Negligent use of equipment or appliance (heat source)’.

4. The number of injuries and fatalities caused by hot work incidents in the construction industry in financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/25

   There were four injuries in the fire in 2024-25.

5. In total, how many fires were related to hot works including and excluding buildings under construction in financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/25.

   In 2023-24 there were 6 fires where the Ignition Source was recorded as ‘Blow lamp/Paint remover’ or ‘Welding/Cutting equipment’. In 2024-25 there were 7 fires where the Ignition Source was recorded as ‘Blow lamp/Paint remover’ or ‘Welding/Cutting equipment’. This data includes fires in all property types and not just buildings under construction (e.g. road vehicle, woodland, outdoor storage).

Please be aware there are no specific categories on our data systems for construction industry or hot work. Therefore, the data provided may not include all fires involving the construction industry or hot work.

The information provided is based on the following criteria:

• Building occupancy type recorded as ‘Under Construction’ on our Incident Recording System

• Ignition Source recorded as ‘Blow lamp/Paint remover’ or ‘Welding/Cutting equipment’ on our Incident Recording System

• Keyword search on the incident logs for ‘hot work’ or ‘hot works’

Outcome: Information Provided

FOI responded to within timescales: YES

Further action: NO