Cookers and Hot Plates Most Likely to Cause Home Fires, Data Shows

Electric cookers and ovens are the most common cause of domestic fires in England, linked to over 130,000 incidents between 2010 and 2026, according to data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Hot plates are a distant second, involved in more than 26,000 fires over the same period.

This comes as a senior coroner recently called for an urgent ban on tumble dryer sales, citing concerns over potentially fatal defects in more than 1.6 million units. The coroner's warning followed a fire that resulted in the deaths of a father and his nine-year-old daughter, believed to have been started by a faulty tumble dryer.

However, data indicates that cooking appliances are significantly more implicated in fires. Between 2010 and 2026, cookers were involved in over half of all appliance-related fires. Hot plates accounted for approximately 10% of these incidents, with grills and microwave ovens adding another 9.7% and 6% respectively. Collectively, these kitchen appliances are responsible for about 80% of all appliance-related fires.

Misuse of electrical appliances is identified as the primary driver of these fires, accounting for two-thirds of all electrical fires in England over the past two years. Faulty equipment was linked to a further 23% of blazes. Examples of misuse include failing to empty lint traps in tumble dryers or overloading extension cords.

Outside of the kitchen, tumble dryers are identified as the most fire-prone appliance, contributing to 10,272 incidents over the past 16 years, or about 3% of all domestic fires. This figure is more than double the number of fires linked to deep fat fryers. A specific Hoover condenser tumble dryer model, DX C10DCER-80, has been implicated in a fatal fire, prompting an investigation by the Office for Product & Safety Standards due to numerous reported fire notifications.

Despite the focus on tumble dryers, experts emphasize that fire safety does not require drastic measures. Simple daily habits, such as checking that the hob is off when locking the door or unplugging unused appliances, can significantly reduce risks. Other appliances that have been involved in domestic fires include washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, battery chargers, and electric blankets, with even audio equipment and DVD players posing potential hazards.