More than 1,200 fires were recorded in purpose-built flats across England where alarms were absent, data shows. 

On 113 occasions, these fires resulted in at least one fatality or casualty.

The analysis by safety software supplier Drax Technology covers residential purpose-built flats for the period April 2025 to March 2026.  

As well as 1,205 fires where no alarm was present, a further 30 involved a faulty or incorrectly installed alarm system, 11 involved an alarm with a missing battery and 10 a defective battery. 

Cookers/ovens were the most common source of ignition, accounting for 363 of the fires, with commonplace appliances including grills/toasters, microwaves, tumble dryers, deep fat fryers and fridge/freezers also cited. 

Drax Technology says the results show the urgent need for residential building managers to ensure fire alarm systems were properly installed, regularly maintained and ready to respond when needed. 

A spokesperson says: “Something as simple as a missing battery should never stand between a resident and a warning that could save their life. 

“This should be a wake-up call for anyone responsible for residential buildings, whether in Build to Rent, social housing or private developments. An alarm has to be there, it has to work and it has to be properly maintained.

“The bigger issue is visibility. If you are responsible for people’s homes, you should be able to see where the risks are, what has failed and whether it has been put right. 

“We shouldn’t be waiting for a fire to reveal a fault that could have been identified and resolved days, weeks or months earlier. 

“Residents have every right to expect that the systems designed to protect them will work when they are needed most.”