'Shoffice' fires surge by up to 58%

• Shed and garage blazes leap by a fifth as Brits seek sanctuary from pandemic stress
• FOI data reveals outbuilding blazes increased in 33 out of 45 parts of the UK
• The biggest increases have been in Lancashire (58%), Lincolnshire (50%), West Sussex (47%) and North Yorkshire (46%)
• Planning applications for garage conversions alone soared by 25% last year with a 7.5% rise in people seeking permission for garden buildings and works

The garden shed has become the latest casualty of lockdown, with new data revealing a steep rise in the number of residential outbuildings going up in smoke in 2020.

Freedom of Information requests issued to 45 of the UK’s fire authorities, by insurer Zurich UK, reveal shed and garage fires increased by nearly a fifth (16%) in 2020, compared to 2019. (1)

Of 45 fire authorities, 33 saw a rise in shed and garage blazes, with an average increase of 25%. Fire and rescue services in Lancashire, Lincolnshire, West Sussex and North Yorkshire recorded the biggest surges in outbuilding fires – rising by 58%, 50%, 47% and 46% respectively.

The trend appears to be driven by people across the country converting sheds and garages into offices, home gyms and garden bars. Planning applications for garage conversions alone soared by 25% last year, while there was a 7.5% rise in people seeking permission for garden buildings and works.

Phil Ost, Head of Personal Lines at Zurich, said: “With many of us stuck at home, we are spending more time in our gardens than ever before. Aside from storing gardening tools, our sheds and garages have become a haven to escape the stresses of family life and for others a place to work. Homeowners up and down the country have converted outbuildings into everything from bars and yoga studios, to gyms and offices. But as Brits take refuge in their garden sheds and garages, it appears to have sparked a rise in accidental blazes. Likewise, the huge increase in people buying pizza ovens and fire pits, which carry a fire risk if not extinguished correctly, could also account for the jump in outbuildings going up in smoke.

He added: “Sheds are a perfect environment for fires to take hold – often made of wood, sited outside and often home to flammable liquids like petrol for a lawnmower or oils and paint thinners. We are urging homeowners to be mindful of potential fire hazards and take precautions to minimise the risks.”

To reduce the chance of your shed or garage going up in smoke, Zurich UK recommends:

• If your shed or garage has power and you are running electrical appliances, make sure you do as you would in your home. Turn them off if you are out or have gone to bed and do not leave appliances running over night. Also regularly monitor for damage to cables and faulty appliances.
• It is vital not to store your used BBQ or fire pit in the shed until it has cooled completely
• Flammable or combustible liquids such as oils and paint thinners should always be store safely and in approved containers when not in use
• When in use, BBQs, fire pits and pizza ovens should be placed as far away from your shed or outbuilding as possible. Shut the shed doors and windows before lighting.
• Ensure your shed is positioned a suitable distance from other buildings and your home. If it should catch fire, this will reduce the chances of it spreading to yours, or a neighbour’s property