Suicide by fire in Scotland: 1980-1990

Suicide by fire is relatively rare in the Western world, accounting for approximately 1% of completed suicides by all methods. This survey identified suicidal deaths among fatalities known to the Scottish Fire Brigades as having died in a fire incident during 1980 to 1990. It is accepted that this is just one possible definition of what constitutes a suicide by fire. Forty cases were identified as suicides from the circumstances of the death as narrated in the police and Fire Brigade reports of the incident. Autopsy and toxicological reports were examined for all cases and the characteristics of the victim and the incident are described. Most cases occurred in the home of the victim and three-quarters of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene or when first seen by a doctor. Smoke inhalation was the most frequently certified cause of death. Alcohol was present in less than half the cases and toxicological analysis for drugs was performed in the minority of cases. One-quarter of victims were reported to have made at least one suicide attempt previously. A range of apparently precipitating factors was observed: the number of cases which appeared to be impulsive responses to life events suggests that prevention is difficult.