FIREFIGHTERS in Inverclyde faced fewer incidents in the final three months of the year when compared to the same period in 2019.

Fresh statistics show that between October and December there were just 291 incidents, a decrease of almost a fifth.

And the data indicates more than half the call-outs were false alarms.

A report on the stats from the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) is due to be presented to Inverclyde Council’s police and fire scrutiny committee this week.

Around half of the false alarms were classified as unwanted fire alarm signals (UFAS) – which occur when an alarm goes off unnecessarily in a public building such as a school – while others came from homes or were set off 'with good intent'.

The 71 UFAS incidents recorded during the three-month spell cost the fire service £139,870, with more than a third of alarms set off due to human influence.

But SFRS said in its report this is the lowest figure seen over the past five years, with a 23 per cent decrease noted in the final quarter of last year compared to the last three months of 2019.

The paper also shows accidental dwelling fires and casualties from these went down by 27 per cent and 67 per cent respectively between the two periods, while non-domestic fires also plummeted by 67 per cent.

The only increase recorded between October and December was a five per cent spike in deliberate fires, as emergency staff dealt with almost 70 incidents.

Intentional fire setting has risen by 20 per cent on average over the past three years in the region.

The SFRS report states: “It is pleasing to see a 27 per cent reduction during this quarter when compared to last year in accidental dwelling fires, and the lowest figures over a five-year period.

“There has also been a significant reduction in casualties when compared to three of the last four years.

"This is consistent with the high percentage of detection in place.

“It is pleasing to see a steady reduction in incidents involving unintentional injury and harm across this quarter over a four-year period.

"Half of all incident activity was to assist partner agencies, a trend which has been consistent for some time.

“Only two non-domestic fires were recorded. 

"Legislative Enforcement Officers continue to work with businesses following any fire within relevant premises to improve safety and return to normal business.

“We saw the lowest figures for UFAS incidents over a five-year period.

"The main reporting times are during normal business hours, with more than a third of incidents coming as a result of human influence."

The SFRS says it will 'look at ways to address this'.