Thank you for your request under the Environmental Information Regulations.
We can confirm that Essex County Fire & Rescue Service (ECFRS) does hold the information you have requested.
Please see below the answer to your request.
Questions and final response
Question 1 - How many incidents (in December and January) over the last 5 years have been due to fires caused by Christmas lights and other electrics?
To clarify, any festive decorations that require batteries or a plug socket.
Response
ECFRS have searched for incidents that have occurred over the last five years that include keywords: Christmas decorations’, ‘Xmas decorations’, ‘festivities’, ‘Christmas lights’ , ‘Xmas lights’.
Five incidents of fire were attended by ECFRS, details of which are included in page one the PDF attached.
Question 2 - If possible, could you also include the average number of incidents during the specified period, compared to the (mean) average all year round.
Response
The average number of incidents for December, January and the average for the remainder of the year, are included in page 2 of the PDF attached.
Results for December 2024 are not included as we are only part way through the month.
Average incidents, include all types of incidents including false alarms, special services, fires and RTC’s.