How do we know that the owners of thatched properties are non smoking careful cooks?
Causes of House fires in non-thatched homes:
- Cooking – 50%+
- Electrical appliances – 13%
- Smoking – 7%
- Electrical Distribution – 7%
- Heating devices – 4%
- “Other” – 15%
Causes of House fires in thatched properties:
- Electrical faults
- Faults in the flu or flu liner
- Stray sparks from the chimneys, discarded cigarettes and garden bonfire
- Heat transfer can be added to this list
There we have it, owners of thatched properties are careful cooks who monitor carefully their chip pans – and who don’t fall asleep while holding burning cigarettes!
Thatch fire is a very serious matter - as is any house fire - an understanding of where risk lies, careful and adequate preparation, along with the application of preventative measures - physical and mental - are the keys to longevity and safety.
Some more Statistics:
What you get from your thatch:
- Water reed 55-65 years
- Combed wheat 20-40 years
- Long Straw 15-25 years
Dangers:
- 50,000 thatched homes in the UK
- 50 to 100 thatched homes are destroyed or seriously damaged every year
Chances of Fire:
- Chances of fire in a normal house – 1:320
- Chances of fire in a thatched house – 1:735
Recorded Deaths:
- 1 death in twentieth century from a thatch fire
