Hot work, such as welding, use of blowtorches and cutting was responsible for 4.55 per cent of non-dwelling fires recorded in Cumbria in 2024/25. Cumbria saw the largest proportion of hot work fires of any other county in England in 24/25, despite the incidents falling nationally by nine per cent year on year. (Image: Cumbria Fire)The second largest proportion of hot work fires was seen in Derbyshire at 4.06 per cent. London Fire Brigade responded to 14 hot work fires that year, 0.81 per cent of non-dwelling fires recorded that year. Across England, there were 381 fires caused by hot work between 2023 and 2025, most of which were ignited by welding or cutting.

Source: The Times January 18, 2026 05:04 UTC