Irish households warned of danger of smoking in the home after rise in fire deaths

Older people, those living alone, and families are being encouraged to review fire safety in the home and seek support where needed.

The Department of Housing has warned about the dangers of smoking in the home after a rise in the number of fire deaths in 2025.

New figures show fire deaths rose to 34 last year from 25 in 2024, with smoking in the home the leading known cause, according to the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management at the Department of Housing.

The average age of people who died in a fire in 2025 was 63, with 40% of those who died aged over 65. Men were disproportionately represented, accounting for 26 of the 34 people who died in fires. 

Older people, those living alone, and families are being encouraged to review fire safety in the home and seek support where needed.

The figures show that across the country, fire brigades attended 21,794 fires in 2025, of which 4,131 occurred in people’s homes. Outdoor rubbish burning was the most common incident type, accounting for 6,778 fire service attendances.

In Ireland, outdoor rubbish burning is strictly illegal under waste management regulations. Breaking these rules could lead up to fines of €5,000 or prosecution.

Housing minister James Browne said the data "is an important reminder of the very real risks that fire poses to people and communities across Ireland".

"Tragically, behind these statistics are lives that have been lost and bereaved families.

“Our fire services work tirelessly to respond quickly and effectively when incidents occur but these figures remind us of the importance of doing everything on personal and individual level that we can to prevent fires and keep our loved ones, homes and businesses safe."

False fire alarms accounted for 8,573 attendances, while forest, bog and grass fires represented a significant category of incidents in 2025, with fire brigades attending 2,314 such fires during the year.

While the data shows electrical fires have reduced in the last 25 years, fire safety concerns remain around e‑scooters, e‑bikes and similar battery‑powered devices because of "poor charging practices, unsafe storage, or low-quality products".