Geographical characteristics and other factors associated with alcohol-related fatal fires in Ireland 2014 – 2021 [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Introduction

Alcohol-related fatal fires represent a tragic but preventable death. Geographic features of these events can inform prevention campaigns and are important to consider in combination with other risk factors. This study aims to examine the factors associated with alcohol-related versus non-alcohol-related fatal fires, and to examine geographical characteristics of alcohol-related fatal fires in Ireland.

Method

Using Irish Coronial data, we looked at all 273 fire fatalities for the period 2014 to 2021, of which 112 (41.0%) had positive alcohol toxicology. Descriptive analyses were conducted followed by logistic regression and geospatial analyses to understand the characteristics of alcohol-related fatal fires.

Results

Compared to non-alcohol related fatal fires, the proportion of fatal fires that involved alcohol was higher among 35–49-year-olds (65.9%) smokers (54.7%) and those accompanied by friends (86.7%). In regression analyses, history of alcohol dependency was the only significant risk factor for a fatal fire being alcohol-related although this may be due to the modest sample size limiting statistical power rather than a true absence of association. Rural areas were over-represented in alcohol-related fatal fires, with an annual average 0.37 deaths per 100,000 people in rural areas for every 0.25 in urban areas. Alcohol-related fires that occurred in rural areas involved a longer travel time and distance to the nearest fire station but there was no significant association between alcohol-related fires and area-level deprivation.

Conclusions

People with a history of alcohol dependency suffer higher rates of alcohol-related vs non-alcohol-related fatal fires. These deaths are avoidable, and it is essential that alcohol use is acknowledged as a contributory risk factor and efforts be made to raise awareness and target at-risk individuals.