B.C., StatCan partner on fire prevention pilot as deaths increase around province

Firefighters and number crunchers are joining forces in a bid to prevent house fires, reduce injuries and save lives.

BC's fire commissioner, Brian Godlonton, says his office and Statistics Canada will work together to create a dashboard that identifies areas in communities that are at greatest risk of house fires.

Godlonton says an increasing number of fire deaths is a ``concerning trend'' across BC and Canada and the dashboard will help fire officials know where to focus their prevention and safety programs.

The fire commissioner's annual report shows a 119 per cent increase in fire-related deaths around BC over the last two years, with 59 deaths and 180 injuries, and it also shows only 42 per cent of burning homes had a working smoke alarm.