FIRE safety initiatives are helping to combat arson and accidental fire related deaths in West Yorkshire.

The West Yorkshire brigade is setting new standards for tackling the issues, with new figures showing drastic reductions.

Since 2001/2, local firefighters have seen accidental domestic fire deaths plummet by 43% – more than double the national target.

Last year, 11 people lost their lives compared to an average of 23 in the late 1990s.

Deliberate property fires have also fallen dramatically from around 8,513 in 2001/2 to just 2,146 in 2009/10.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Craig McIntosh said the figures reflected West Yorkshire’s commitment to combating avoidable tragedy.

“The majority of fires are preventable but there is still a lot to be done to help people who may be particularly vulnerable to fire in their homes because of their age or frailty,” he said.

During the past year West Yorkshire has increased its efforts by targeting home risk assessments and expanding its work with young people who have a history of starting fires or of making false alarm calls.

Clr David Ridgway, who chairs the fire authority, said that the performance demonstrated the value of increased investment in community fire safety work.