Fire service reports fewer fires and faster response in Cumbria
Fire incidents down, response times up to standard, but accidental house fires rise
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, received the end-of-year performance update from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) at the Public Accountability Conference on 14 May.
From April 2024 to March 2025, total fires dropped 11% across Cumbria, with commercial fires down 18%. However, accidental house fires rose nearly 19%.
Water rescues fell by 20.5%, while other non-fire incidents slightly increased. CFRS response times remain strong, averaging under 10 minutes.
The service carried out 532 audits of high-risk premises and completed over 8,200 Home Fire Safety Visits—73% of which were to vulnerable residents—ranking among the top 10 nationally.
Commissioner Allen praised the service’s improvements but urged continued vigilance, particularly around rising house fire incidents and summer water safety.
Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock credited the performance to the hard work and professionalism of CFRS staff.