25 died in house fires this year, conference told

Twenty-five people have died in household fires so far this year, a National Safety Council conference was told yesterday. It was held to find ways of getting the fire safety message across, involved representatives of health boards, firefighters, Government Departments, the Garda and community organisations.

It heard that 62 people died in domestic fires in the Republic last year, and that figure is on course to be repeated this year.

The conference was told fire was a serious household threat, particularly to young children and older people. It heard that:

Seven of those killed last year were less than 12 years of age.

15 were over 65 years of age.

11 of the over-65s were male.

Total fire deaths rose to 62 last year, an increase of 23 per cent on the previous year.

90 per cent of all deaths occurred in the home, mostly at night

Factors such as living in isolation, low levels of income and diminished physical ability expose older adults to increased fire risks, according to the NSC chief executive, Mr Pat Costello. He said he hoped the "think-tank" in Athlone would harness the influence of all the agencies and ensure the fire-safety message reached a wider audience "in a far more powerful manner".

Meanwhile, the trade union Impact said yesterday it had written to the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, seeking immediate talks on restructuring the fire service. The union called for rapid implementation of improvements recommended in a recent Farrell Grant Sparks review of fire services.

It called for "fundamental structural, organisational, funding, operational and process change". Impact's submission also called for improved funding based on strategic management planning, risk assessment and multi-annual budgeting.