Accidental house fires in Greater Manchester over Christmas dropped to their lowest number in eight years.
Between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day there were 70 accidental fires in homes, a 39 per cent fall over eight years and 10 per cent reduction compared with last year's figure of 77.
Barry Dixon, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service county fire officer, said: "It's really pleasing to see these reductions. The combination of raising the public's awareness of the relationship between fire and alcohol and our ongoing campaign for smoke alarms has yet again shown results."
He added: "There is no excuse now for not having a working smoke alarm in your home even if you can't afford to buy one, you can book in for one of our free home fire risk assessments and if necessary we will fit a free smoke alarm for you."
The number of house fires in Bolton, over the Christmas period, were 11. Elsewhere in the county the numbers were: Bury, 6; Manchester, 16; Oldham, 6; Rochdale, 3; Salford, 10; Stockport, 6; Tameside, 7; Trafford, 0, and Wigan, 5.
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