The number of people injured in accidental house fires in the Highlands has dropped to its lowest level in five years.
New figures released by the fire service reveal a total of 15 people required medical attention from 108 separate incidents between April and December.
This is down by more than 50% on 2013/14 when injury numbers spiked at 31.
People classed as injured relates to any form of first aid treatment or medical attention, regardless of the type of injury.
This can range from a check at the scene to hospitalisation for severe smoke inhalation.
Of the 15, five were rescued by firefighters, including four who required hospital treatment, with the remaining 11 receiving first aid at the scene.
Local Senior Officer John MacDonald has welcomed the reduction but stressed firefighters would continue to work tirelessly to prevent house fires from occurring in the first place.
Mr MacDonald said: “Whilst I am pleased there has been an overall reduction in casualty numbers it is disappointing to note that 15 people have been injured over the period.
“A single casualty is one too many and our aim is to improve fire safety in our communities wherever and whenever we can.”
The figures were revealed in the fire service’s quarterly report put before Highland Council’s community and partnerships committee yesterday.
Mr MacDonald also highlighted a single fatality which occurred over the reporting period as a result of an accidental house fire.
John Mehlert, 95, died in a fire at his home in Scarfskerry,on the north coast of Caithness.
Mr MacDonald added: “Tragic incidents, such as this, can have a devastating impact not only on loved ones but on the community as a whole.
“The public can rest assured that we’re doing everything in our power to prevent these awful events from happening in the future and improving the safety and welfare of everyone.”
The service also highlighted the number of accidental house fires linked to lapses in concentration while cooking.
A total of 108 accidental house fires were reported between April and December – a rise of 20 on the previous year.
At 29 of these incidents the cause of fire was cooking related with majority of all incidents originating in the kitchen, a total of 55.
Of these 39 resulted in no damage to the surroundings while a further 47 were confined to a small area of less than 55sq ft.