HMP Berwyn Sees 74% Rise in Vape-Started Deliberate Fires

HMP Berwyn in Wrexham has experienced a 74.1% increase in deliberate fires from 2023-24 to 2024-25, with 63 primary fires started intentionally, 47 of which required fire service attendance. The majority of these fires were started using vapes, specifically by dismantling the devices and using their batteries as ignition sources. The North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has been collaborating regularly with the Crown Inspector for HM Prisons, assisting in research and inspection programs to address the issue, but incidents are unlikely to decrease in the short term. This rise in fires at HMP Berwyn contributes to an overall increase in incidents attended by the North Wales Fire Service, which saw a 9% increase in total incidents and an 8.5% increase in attended fires regionally, making it the only fire service in Wales with a rise in incidents during the financial year. The report also notes that the cost of living crisis has influenced accidental fires in homes, but the prison's deliberate fire problem is distinct and ongoing. Efforts continue to find alternatives to reduce vape-related fire ignitions within the prison environment.