The number of significant fire incidents on the Isle of Wight has fallen by more than 60% over the past 15 years, with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service crediting increased prevention work and changing public behaviour as possible contributing factors.
Analysis by Island Echo of incidents requiring 5 or more pumping appliances between 2011 and 2025 reveals a dramatic long-term decline in large-scale emergencies attended here on the Isle of Wight.
During the early 2010s, firefighters regularly attended double-digit numbers of large-scale incidents each year as Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service, with the average between 2011-2015 standing at 13 incidents annually. In more recent years, that figure has fallen sharply, with fewer than 5 sizeable incidents now recorded each year on average.
The figures suggest the nature of major fires on the Isle of Wight has also changed over time, with many of today’s largest incidents involving residential properties, derelict buildings and waste sites rather than the industrial and agricultural fires more commonly seen in earlier years.
The data covers more than 160 major incidents attended across the Island during the 15-year period – many covered by Island Echo.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) says a number of factors may have contributed to the decline, including increased prevention work, improved smoke alarm coverage and greater knowledge of high-risk premises.
Firefighters on the Isle of Wight carried out 1,288 home fire safety visits during 2025/26, helping ensure properties were fitted with working smoke alarms to improve early fire detection and extinguishment.
Changing public behaviour may also have contributed to the decline in incidents, says HIWFRS, noting that fewer people now smoke – although smoking remains a leading cause of property fires.
The Service also says protection teams have continued gathering detailed risk information on premises across the Isle of Wight, whilst officers have undertaken inspection programmes at hotels and visited derelict buildings in a bid to reduce arson risks.
A spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has said:
“We are incredibly proud of the continued commitment, service and response our firefighters provide to protect their communities and help reduce large-scale fires on the island.
“Across the UK, fire and rescue services are reporting fewer fire call outs, with the role of a firefighter diversifying to respond to more road collision and medical incidents.
“However, we are facing an increasing number of damaging wildfires across our greenspaces. These fires are both time and resource heavy and could impact upon the number of large-scale fire incidents seen on the island in the future.”
As opposed to a 60% increase in hotel fires?
Makes one wonder how many arson cases
there are on the island!
Not in Stephenson road Cowes ( thanks to a so far unknown person.) its a good thing though as when that fire happened it took all available service we had.
And then the poor Codfather catches fire, don’t talk
such things into existence.