Winter fire warning: The everyday electrical items sparking a surge in WA house fires

Household electrical items such as power boards, dryers and phone chargers are behind a surge in winter house fires across WA, prompting a warning from emergency services.

New figures from the Department of Fires and Emergency Services reveal the past five years has seen a 50 per cent increase in the number of winter fires started by electrical goods.

Last winter alone saw 274 blazes — the equivalent of about three a day — a 25 per cent increase on 2024.

Electrical equipment and appliances were responsible for almost a quarter of those fires, while unattended cooking and heating systems were also primary causes.

To drive home the warning DFES carried out a staged burn at a Cloverdale home due for demolition, with the vision showing the destructive nature of overloaded power boards, a charging lithium-ion drill battery and items left too close to a heater.

DFES commissioner Darren Klemm said those items were generally safe but posed a risk when not installed, used or maintained properly.

“We want the public to be alert to the risks but not alarmed. We’re seeing some particularly fast-moving and destructive fires starting in areas like garages where people typically store electrical products like power tools and chargers,” he said.

Mr Klemm was also concerned about the potential hazards posed by electrical products purchased from cheap overseas websites.

“If you haven’t got a quality product, or the product’s in a state of disrepair, then if you leave it unattended, then you’re increasing the risk that that something’s going to happen,” he said.

“As soon as something’s damaged, that needs to be thrown out and go and purchase a new product from a reputable provider.”

Lithium-ion batteries sparked 15 house fires last winter but Mr Klemm said this trend had plateaued due to increased community awareness. He said other common products could be just as dangerous.

WA residents are being urged to check their electrical goods for damage and overheating, test their smoke alarms, never leave cooking unattended and to keep all items at least one metre away from the heater.

Mr Klemm also urged Western Australians to look at installing interconnected heat alarms in garages or storage rooms, where battery products were often kept.

“In addition to hard-wired smoke alarms in the home, I’d urge Western Australians to consider installing an interconnected heat alarm in garages and storage rooms to protect their property and loved ones.”

Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia said the majority of house fires were preventable.

“People tend to underestimate the terrifying speed and ferocity of a house fire, but the fact is a small blaze can engulf a room in just two minutes, leaving families with little time to escape,” he said.

Two people have died in WA house fires so far this year.