BRIGADE bosses are hailing fire prevention schemes a success after a fall in the number of preventable fire deaths.

Figures show that resources pumped into a community safety plan appear to have paid off with a dramatic decrease in avoidable fire deaths across the county. Last year in Bury there was one death, compared with four in 1997. Across Greater Manchester the number of fatalities also fell, from 30 in 1995 and 48 in 1990, to 17 last year.

The statistics exclude incidents where fires occurred as a result of death by natural causes, arson or suicide.

Bury fire station Commander John Beryl said: "Any reduction is pleasing, although we wouldn't be complacent about it.

"A lot has been achieved with our community fire safety plan, which has targeted homes most at risk from fire, but even one death is too much."

The plan made provision for the installation of smoke alarms in the homes of people over 65 upon request, with Bury Council also providing them in all of its properties.

It is estimated that around 80 per cent of homes now have smoke alarms.

Smoking remains the most common cause of preventable fire deaths, with chip-pans being second.

Mr Beryl said: "We're still trying to highlight the dangers of particular fire hazards such as smoking, especially in bed, by talking to young people at school and trying to educate them."