Fires in London are at their lowest level since records began, according to new figures published by the London Fire Brigade.
The Brigade says there were 20,328 fires last year (around 56 each day), down from 57,250 (157 per day) in 2003/4.
Across London the number of fires has fallen by 64 per cent, with some boroughs seeing drops of more than 70 per cent in the same period.
According to LFB figures, Barking and Dagenham has seen a 79% fall in incidents, down from 2,953 fires in 2003/4 to 631 in 2012/13 while Greenwich saw numbers fall from 3,254 to 712.
The Brigade has credited the fall to its policy of targeting prevention and reduction campaigns at those most at risk from fire.
Last year a report last year estimated home fire safety visits had prevented 5,000 fires while a social media campaign aimed at young educated professionals, a group which accounts for a quarter of all house fires, is said to have cut the number of incidents by 2 per week.
Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said: “Despite the capital’s growing population, Londoners are less likely than ever before to have a fire and people are much safer as a result.
“This dramatic drop is down to our fantastic targeted prevention work aimed at those most at risk whether that be visiting vulnerable people in their homes or finding engaging ways to spread our messages through social media.”