The number of incidents involving fires in west London care homes and sheltered housing is at its highest in five years.

Figures obtained by the getwestlondon data team revealed there was a 3.4 per cent rise in blazes for the period 2013/14 compared to 2.4 per cent in 2009/10.

In addition, one in 20 or 4.9 per cent of these were injuries from fires.

The fire brigade has said reducing the number of fires in care homes is one of their main priorities to protect the elderly and disabled from being harmed or killed.

It intends to keep people safe by having sprinklers installed.

A London fire Brigade spokesperson said: “One of the Brigade’s priorities is to reduce fires in care homes and sheltered housing.

"Older people, as well as people with mental health problems and those with mobility issues, are the groups most at risk from fire and we are concerned by the number of vulnerable people who are still harmed or killed by fire in places where they should be safe.

"That’s why we want to see all residential care homes fitted with sprinklers.

"They not only stop fires from spreading and put them out quickly, they save lives.

"We’re committed to campaigning and promoting opportunities for councils and housing providers to provide sprinklers as a cost effective way of saving property and protecting the lives of those residents most at risk.”

Recently, in Brentford a man died following a fire in a care home that may have been caused by a cigarette.