Chimneys, flues, hot ashes and soot were the top causes of fires recorded in Donegal in 2024.
Figures released by the Central Statistics Office today show that fire brigades attended almost 20,000 fires across the country last year.
Fire brigades in Donegal attended 308 fires in the county and 10 in other areas in 2024, while only 3 false alarms were recorded in that same period.
58 of these were caused by chimneys, flues, hot ashes and soot, 24 by rubbish burning and 11 by smoking materials.
Meanwhile, 9 were caused by cooking and heating, 8 by electrical equipment and 4 by electrical wiring installation.
8 fires in Donegal were believed to have been started maliciously, while the causes of 177 incidents remain unknown.
One fatality as a result of a fire was recorded in the county last year.
24 total deaths were recorded nationally, with 21 of those involving people aged 55 or over.
Speaking on the release of the figures, Keith Leonard, National Director for Fire and Emergency Management, says he hopes the data will remind everyone of the “need for vigilance and the importance of fire prevention and safety measures”.
