London firefighters have rescued more than 2,400 people in just one year, highlighting the scale and variety of emergencies crews deal with daily across the capital.
📊 Thousands brought to safety
New figures from London Fire Brigade show that 2,455 people were rescued between April 2025 and March 2026—the equivalent of around seven rescues every day. [london-fire.gov.uk], [fia.uk.com]
These incidents ranged widely, from fires and road traffic collisions to lift rescues and water emergencies on the River Thames. [fia.uk.com]
🔥 Fires remain a key risk
Although firefighters respond to a broad mix of incidents, 247 people were rescued from fires during the year—an 18% increase compared with the previous period. [london-fire.gov.uk], [internatio…ournal.com]
This demonstrates that, while prevention efforts continue, fire incidents still pose a significant danger across London.
🧰 A wide range of emergencies
Firefighters carried out rescues across 44 different types of incidents, reflecting their role as a modern, all-purpose emergency service. [london-fire.gov.uk]
The most common situations included:
- People collapsed behind locked doors – 1,050 rescues
- Lift entrapments – 379 rescues [london-fire.gov.uk], [internatio…ournal.com]
Crews also dealt with more unusual incidents requiring specialist skills, demonstrating the breadth of their work.
🗓️ Busy periods and notable rescues
The busiest month was July 2025, when firefighters rescued 258 people. [london-fire.gov.uk]
Notable incidents included:
- Rescuing five people from an e-bike fire in a flat in Perivale
- Freeing nine people trapped in a lift at a commercial building in Havering [london-fire.gov.uk], [fia.uk.com]
💬 Leadership praise for crews
London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith praised firefighters for their professionalism and adaptability:
“Last year, more than 2,400 people were brought to safety – from fires, medical emergencies, chemical spills, water rescues and countless unusual incidents.” [fia.uk.com]
He emphasised that the figures reflect both the high demand on crews and their technical expertise and commitment to public safety. [fia.uk.com]
🌆 Modern fire service role
The data underlines how firefighters today respond to far more than fires alone. Many incidents involve assisting other emergency services, particularly where rapid entry or specialist equipment is needed to save lives. [hounslowherald.com]
From everyday mishaps to life-threatening emergencies, crews must be ready for unpredictable situations at any time.
