The ongoing dangers of using combustible materials to build balconies is being highlighted as a new report shows the number of balcony fires in the UK jumped to 310 in the last year – an increase of nearly 50 per cent.
The Balcony Fires Report 2024-2025, complied by AliDeck, is the only report to collate and analyse UK balcony fire data, providing valuable insight for residents, developers, housing associations, and fire safety professionals.
Richard Izzard, Managing Director of AliDeck, said: “Balcony fires have risen by almost 100 incidents since 2023-2024, indicating a worrying level of complacency in our urban outside spaces. The leading cause is smoking-related and demonstrates a need for residents to take care, however the combustible materials that balconies are often made of means even a small fire can become a high-risk incident.
“With many developments still relying on combustible decking and cladding materials, residents need to be aware of the risks, and providers need to ensure lessons are learned and changes made before more lives and properties are put at risk.”
Almost half of all balcony fires – 136 cases or 44% – were caused by smoking-related incidents, with electrical faults (including vapes) at 33 incidents. Barbecues and candles are among the other causes listed in the analysis of UK fire data. The report concludes that raising resident awareness and replacing balcony components with non-combustible materials are among the ways to minimise and reduce the dangers of balcony fires.
The majority of the fires, 164, happened in London, accounting for more than half of all incidents across the UK. Other significant hotspots include West Midlands (17 incidents), Greater Manchester (13 incidents), and Scotland (13 incidents).
Richard added: “Tragically, this year there has also been one balcony fire death in London, and eight injuries in the West Midlands. These findings prove that the danger of balcony fires is growing, and with high-rise living one of the ways to tackle the country’s housing crisis it’s important these vital outdoor spaces are made as safe as possible.”
The report highlights the urgent need to ensure balconies are made from non-combustible materials, so that if a fire does break out it cannot easily spread. It also recommends regular inspections and maintenance to identify and rectify potential hazards.
Richard added: “There are many things building developers and owners can do to improve the safety of the fabric of the balconies, including ensuring all the materials and processes meet the latest fire safety standards, however we also need to ensure that balcony users have the best information.
“They need to understand the risks posed by the materials of the balcony, and therefore the risks of their own activities should they be smoking, vaping, cooking, using electrical equipment or even lighting a candle – all of which have led to balcony fires in the last year.”
Kent-based AliDeck is a certified Made in Britain manufacturer of non-combustible aluminium decking, drainage, soffits, balustrades and fencing. The Balcony Fires Report provides a detailed overview of incidents across the UK and suggests targeted interventions and awareness-raising to reverse the trend. It is the only report that collates data from fire services across the country, providing an annual review of the trends, causes and risks shaping the safety of residential buildings.
For more information about AliDeck, visit www.alideck.co.uk or see www.alideck.co.uk/balcony-fires-report to download a copy of the report.
