Official Statistics

Road vehicle fires dataset guidance

Updated 23 August 2024

Applies to England

Publishing Incident Recording System data on the fire and rescue service at an incident level:

Frequency of release: Annual

First publication: 27 April 2017

Latest update: 25 July 2024

Forthcoming releases: Home Office statistics release calendar

Home Office responsible statistician: Helene Clark

Press enquiries: pressoffice@homeoffice.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 123 3535

Public enquiries: firestatistics@homeoffice.gov.uk

1. Background

Data quality

Incident records in the Incident Recording System (IRS) are the responsibility of and quality assured by fire and rescue services (FRSs). The Home Office and FRSs work together to improve the data within the IRS and minimise any inconsistencies or errors. However, as the IRS was not designed with record level datasets in mind, a very small number of previously unidentified inconsistencies have been discovered (see project overview for further detail).

IRS incident records are a judgement call of the lead fire officer at the time of the incident. The quality of the information provided by fire and rescue services is variable and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed, especially at a record level, for instance some records involve estimation by those in attendance.

Dataset rationale

Although vehicles aren’t a building, fires in them are generally considered primary fires (see below) and so publishing open data about them was considered a priority. In addition, common Freedom of Information (FOI) requests regarding the make of road vehicle can be answered by referring to this dataset. The Home Office has, and will continue to, engage with stakeholders such as statistical users and FRSs, to gauge opinion on the most useful datasets to publish.

Dataset definition

Although vehicles aren’t a building, fires in them are generally considered primary fires (see below) and so publishing open data about them was considered a priority. In addition, common Freedom of Information (FOI) requests regarding the make of road vehicle can be answered by referring to this dataset. The Home Office has, and will continue to, engage with stakeholders such as statistical users and FRSs, to gauge opinion on the most useful datasets to publish.

A road vehicle is any vehicle designed for road use.

Fires in “derelict” road vehicles are only included if they are considered to be a primary fire (i.e. the fire involved a fatality, casualty or rescue or the fire was attended by 5 or more pumping appliances). These fires are included in the ‘Primary outdoor and all secondary fires’ incident level dataset.

“Derelict” road vehicles are defined as those unfit for further use. These records, when aggregated, also match the published statistics as derelict road vehicles are not included in the road vehicles statistics. Abandoned vehicles are different to derelict vehicles.

The data in this dataset is consistent with records that reached the IRS by 15 May 2024.

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2. Variable by variable - scene setting

Variable Name: FRS_TERRITORY
Variable Description: The FRS in which the dwelling fire took place
IRS Question: 1.6

The fire and rescue service (FRS) refers to the territory in which the incident took place, not necessarily the FRS which responded. Occasionally an FRS will respond to an incident “over the border”, because of this, users should be careful about making general comments about particular FRSs as some incidents may have been attended by other FRSs. This dataset only covers incidents that took place in England.

Due to data protection issues we have merged Isles of Scilly data with Cornwall, as the number of dwelling fires in Isle of Scilly is minimal [there were 5 between the financial year 2010 to 2011 and 2023 to 2024]. Figures for Dorset and Wiltshire, who merged into one FRS on 1 April 2016, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight, who merged into one FRS on 1st April 2021, are presented merged.

Variable Name: E_CODE_TERRITORY
Variable Description: The E Code of the FRS
IRS Question: 1.6 (based on)

The standard National Statistics code (E Code) of the fire and rescue service (FRS) in FRS_NAME. In this case the code for Cornwall has been used for the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly combined FRS.

Variable Name: FINANCIAL_YEAR
Variable Description: The financial year the dwelling fire took place
IRS Question: 2.1 (based on)

A financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Record level information is published from 2010 to 2011 - although the IRS began in April 2009 there are a few minor issues with the 2009 to 2010 records which mean that while statistics at higher levels are robust some of the incident level records are not of a sufficient quality to publish. Incidents are allocated to financial year depending on the time of the call, which is usually collected through automatic systems, so for example an incident where the call was made at 23.59 on March 31 2010 but the incident was closed at 01.34 on April 1 2010 would be allocated to 2009 to 2010 not 2010 to 2011.

Variable Name: DAY_OF_WEEK
Variable Description: Which day of the week the road vehicle fire took place on
IRS Question: 2.1 (based on)

Incidents are allocated to this variable depending on the time of the call, which is usually collected through automatic systems.

Variable Name: DAY_NIGHT
Variable Description: Whether the incident took place in day or night
IRS Question: 2.1 (based on)

Incidents are allocated to this variable depending on the time of the call, which is usually collected through automatic systems. “Night” is defined as starting at midnight and running until 6am, “Morning” runs from 6am to midday, “Afternoon” from midday to 6pm and “Evening” from 6pm to midnight.

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3. Variable by variable - situation

Variable Name: VEHICLE_TYPE
Variable Description: The type of vehicle the fire was in
IRS Question: 3.2

The ‘road vehicle’ fires dataset only covers primary fires. This excludes “derelict” vehicles unless 5 or more pumping appliances attended the incident or it resulted in a fatality, casualty or rescue. One option is “Multiple vehicles”.

Variable Name: RTC_MARKER
Variable Description: Was the incident also a Road Traffic Collision
IRS Question: 5.22

This variable has 2 options, “yes” or “no”, and is a judgement call made at the time.

Variable Name: REPORTED_MISSING
Variable Description: Whether the vehicle been reported missing to the police
IRS Question: 8.33

This variable has 3 options, “yes”, “don’t know” or “no”, and is a judgement call made at the time.

Variable Name: APPEARED_ABANDONED
Variable Description: APPEARED_ABANDONED
IRS Question: 8.34

This variable has 3 options, “yes”, “don’t know” or “no”, and is a judgement call made at the time.

A road vehicle is generally deemed to have been abandoned if it is found in a place where the true owner likely intended to leave it, but is in such a condition that it is apparent that the true owner has no intention of returning to claim the item.

Variable Name: MAKE_MODEL_CODE_VEHICLE
Variable Description: The four-letter code of the make/model of the road vehicle.
IRS Question: Based on 8.2

This variable is the 4-letter code for the make and/or model of the road vehicle that was involved in the vehicle crash or collision fire or had a faulty appliance or equipment that was the source of ignition for the fire. The question from the IRS that this variable is based on is only asked when the cause of fire was recorded as a vehicle crash or collision, a piece of faulty appliance or equipment or a faulty lead to that appliance or equipment. It is a free text box, so this has been converted into a usable format for this exercise. The question is mandatory but in some cases the make/model would not be identifiable by FRSs. The quality and extent of the make/model information provided by FRSs is variable and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Recorded incidents do not include judgments on whether the cause of the incident related to the make/model (either its manufacture or maintenance), other circumstances or a combination of those factors. This information should not, therefore, be used in isolation to make judgments about the safety of particular makes/models.

Variable Name: MAKE_MODEL_DESCRIPTION_VEHICLE
Variable Description: The full name of the make/model of the road vehicle.
IRS Question: Based 8.2

This variable is the full name for the make and/or model of the road vehicle that was involved in the vehicle crash or collision fire or had a faulty appliance or equipment that was the source of ignition for the fire. The question from the IRS that this variable is based on is only asked when the cause of fire was recorded as a vehicle crash or collision, a piece of faulty appliance or equipment or a faulty lead to that appliance or equipment. It is a free text box, so this has been converted into a usable format for this exercise. The question is mandatory but in some cases the make/model would not be identifiable by FRSs. The quality and extent of the make/model information provided by FRSs is variable and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Recorded incidents do not include judgments on whether the cause of the incident related to the make/model (either its manufacture or maintenance), other circumstances or a combination of those factors. This information should not, therefore, be used in isolation to make judgments about the safety of particular makes/models.

Variable Name: IGNITION_TO_DISCOVERY
Variable Description: The time between ignition and discovery
IRS Question: 5.2

This is the approximate time elapsed from the ignition of the fire to its discovery, and may well be estimated.

When the road vehicle fire spreads from a secondary fire, the time is based on the estimated start of first damage to the road vehicle. For example, if a rubbish bin fire (secondary) spreads to a road vehicle (primary) the time recorded is the estimated time from ignition of the house to discovery NOT ignition of the bin to discovery.

Variable Name: DISCOVERY_TO_CALL
Variable Description: The time between discovery and call.
IRS Question: 5.3

This is the approximate time elapsed from the discovery of the fire to when the call was made to the emergency services, and may well be estimated (FRSs are asked to provide an estimate if at all possible).

Variable Name: LATE_CALL
Variable Description: Whether the incident was a late call.
IRS Question: 2.4

A late call is where a fire is known to be extinguished when the call was made.

It should be stressed that a fire that is ‘out on arrival’ (for example, extinguished before the FRS arrived) does not constitute a ‘late fire call’. A fire which comes to the attention of the FRS to which no call was made, for example as a result of a press report or inquest, is reported as a late call if an attendance is made (even if one person attends for inspection only) but is not included if no attendance is made.

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4. Variable by variable - the fire

Variable Name: ACCIDENTAL_OR_DELIBERATE
Variable Description: Whether the incident was recorded as an accidental or deliberate fire
IRS Question: 5.15

A deliberate fire is a fire believed to have been started deliberately such as suspected arson and some fires started by children, psychiatric patients, suicides and attempted suicides. Accidental fires include those where the motive was recorded as “not known”. Whilst we would not expect the fires for “deliberate fires” to match precisely the published figures for arson in the tables from the Crime in England and Wales statistical release, we would expect “deliberate fires” for dwellings, other buildings and vehicles to be similar to the arson figures.

Variable Name: CAUSE_OF_FIRE
Variable Description: The main cause of the fire
IRS Question: 8.1

This variable contains options that best describe the main cause of the fire. FRSs are not necessarily certain that the fire was due to the cause given, only that the cause was one that could be reasonably supposed, given the evidence available. The cause may change as more evidence through a fire investigation becomes available.

Variable Name: IGNITION_POWER
Variable Description: What powered the ignition of the fire
IRS Question: 8.5

This variable contains options that best describe the main source of the ignition’s power. It is not necessary to be certain that the fire was due to the power given, only that the power was one that could be reasonably supposed, given the evidence available. The ignition power may change as more evidence through a fire investigation becomes available.

Variable Name: SOURCE_OF_IGNITION
Variable Description: The source of ignition for the fire
IRS Question: 8.4

This variable contains options that best describe the source of ignition for the fire. FRSs are not necessarily certain what the source of ignition for the fire is, only that the source of ignition was one that could be reasonably supposed, given the evidence available. The source of ignition may change as more evidence through a fire investigation becomes available.

Variable Name: FIRE_START_LOCATION
Variable Description: The type of compartment the fire started in
IRS Question: 8.14

This variable contains options that best describe the compartment where the fire started.

Variable Name: FIRE_SIZE_ON_ARRIVAL
Variable Description: The extent of fire on the FRS’s arrival
IRS Question: 8.20

This variable contains options that best describe of the extent of the fire when the first fire crew arrived.

Variable Name: ITEM_IGNITED
Variable Description: The item/material that was ignited first
IRS Question: 8.6

This variable contains options that best (or most likely) describe the item first ignited. The item cannot be the same as the source of ignition and doesn’t include items that were ignited in the normal course of events (for example a cigarette, a match etc.)

If the fire was a spread from a secondary fire, the primary location that was damaged first should be recorded, for example if the source of ignition was a bonfire burning leaves which spread to the road vehicle, then the item first ignited was the road vehicle, not the waste leaves on the bonfire.

Variable Name: ITEM_CAUSING_SPREAD
Variable Description: The item/material that was mainly responsible for the spread of the fire
IRS Question: 8.7

The item/material that was mainly responsible for the spread of the fire.

Variable Name: RAPID_FIRE_GROWTH
Variable Description: Whether there was rapid fire growth
IRS Question: 8.8

Whether there was rapid fire growth.

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5. Variable by variable - resourcing

Variable Name: VEHICLES
Variable Description: The number of fire service vehicles that attended the incident
IRS Question: 6.2

The total number of FRS vehicles that attended the incident. This includes all types of vehicle, for example hazardous materials units, fire boats and canteen vans would be included in this total. Large numbers are grouped for ease of use and to reduce the personal data risk of incidents being matched across datasets. For example, there is likely to be few incidents attended by 47 vehicles and this could be matched to other datasets containing this variable but grouping these in the “15 or more” grouping makes this impossible.

Variable Name: VEHICLES_CODE
Variable Description: A code to help users analyse data
IRS Question: 6.2

Because some of the options in the vehicles variable contains letters (for example, 15 or more) this code has been added after feedback from users to aid analysis. 99 is used for “don’t know”.

Variable Name: PERSONNEL
Variable Description: The number of fire crew and officers that attended the incident
IRS Question: Combination of 6.1 and 6.4

The number of FRS personnel that attended the incident on fire service appliances or by other means (for example, their own vehicle, on foot). Large numbers of personnel are grouped for ease of use and to reduce the personal data risk of incidents being matched across datasets. For example, there are likely to be few incidents attended by 147 officers and this could be matched to other datasets containing this variable but grouping these in the “40 or more” grouping makes this impossible.

Variable Name: PERSONNEL_CODE
Variable Description: A code to help users analyse data
IRS Question: Combination of 6.1 and 6.4

Because some of the options in the personnel variable contains letters (for example, 40 or more) this code has been added after feedback from users to aid analysis. 99 is used for “don’t know”.

Variable Name: RESPONSE_TIME
Variable Description: The time between the call being made and the first fire vehicle attending the scene
IRS Question: Combination of 2.1 and 6.8

The time of the call is defined as when first call was received to Command and Control. If the call was received by one FRS and relayed to another, then the time of the call to the first FRS is used. Both of these variables are usually collected through automatic systems.

Variable Name: RESPONSE_TIME_CODE
Variable Description: A code to help users analyse data
IRS Question: Combination of 2.1 and 6.8

Because all of the options in the response time variable contains letters (for example, 1 to 2 mins) this code has been added after feedback from users to aid analysis. 99 is used for “don’t know”.

Variable Name: TIME_AT_SCENE
Variable Description: The time between the first fire vehicle attending the scene and the incident being closed.
IRS Question: Combination of 6.8 and 2.6

An incident is closed when the last FRS appliance, vehicle or officer left the scene of the incident. Both of these variables are usually collected through automatic systems.

Variable Name: TIME_AT_SCENE_CODE
Variable Description: A code to help users analyse data
IRS Question: Combination of 6.8 and 2.6

Because all of the options in the time at scene variable contains letters (for example, 0 to 15 mins) this code has been added after feedback from users to aid analysis.

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6. Variable by variable - outcomes

Variable Name: FATALITY_CASUALTY
Variable Description: Whether the incident involved a fatality or casualty
IRS Question: Combination of 9.6 and 9.21

This records whether the incident involved at least one fire-related fatality or one casualty from the fire. Due to data protection considerations no more detailed information on casualties and fatalities is given, there is a separate fatality/casualty dataset.

To be consistent with published statistics the variable combines “fire-related fatality” and “casualty in the fire” (whether fire-related or not). Where “don’t know” is recorded for whether a fatality is fire-related it is included in the fire-related totals. In general, ‘fire-related fatalities’ are those that would not have occurred had there not been a fire. Casualties include those with injuries requiring hospital attention, those requiring first aid at the scene and those given advice to have precautionary checks (whether they then take that advice or not).

Variable Name: RESCUES
Variable Description: Whether the incident involved a rescue
IRS Question: 9.13

A rescue is where person has received physical assistance to get clear of the area involved in the incident. A baby carried out in the course of another person’s escape is not included as a rescue, however if a rescuer (including FRS personnel) entered the building or other area affected by the fire in order to rescue the baby, then the baby is recorded as a rescue.

A removal of a fatality is not recorded as a rescue, except where a rescue took place in circumstances which might have resulted in a life being saved even if the person did not survive the rescue attempt.

Where “don’t know” is recorded for whether a rescue occurred, it is not included in this variable.

Variable Name: EVACUATIONS
Variable Description: The number of people evacuated from the road vehicle
IRS Question: 9.3

An evacuation is the direction of people from a dangerous place to somewhere safe. This variable is the number of people who were evacuated from the incident, unharmed but with assistance from FRS personnel. Those who are rescued or rescued with an injury are not included in those that are evacuated from the incident.

For evacuations from fires attended by FRSs, the IRS records how many there were in eight separate bands (for example, 6 to 20 means there were between 6 and 20 evacuations from a fire, 21 to 50 means between 21 and 50 evacuations).

Variable Name: EVACUATIONS _CODE
Variable Description: A code to help users analyse data
IRS Question: 9.3

Because all of the options in the evacuations variable contains letters (for example, Up to 5) this code has been added after feedback from users to aid analysis.

Variable Name: DAMAGE_RESTRICTED_TO_DESCRIPTION
Variable Description: The extent of flame and heat damage at the end of the incident
IRS Question: 8.22

This variable contains options that best describe the extent of the fire when the incident ended. This only includes flame and heat damage, it does not include damage by smoke or water (for example). Where more than one area of the road vehicle is damaged it is recorded as the “whole vehicle” option.

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