"A total 82 people have died [in fires] last year. Of those, we can conclude, 35 have died directly or indirectly in fires caused by smoking," he said.
But the tendencies are showing marked improvement. For the past four years, the number of fires has been dropping steadily, with 500 to 700 fewer fires breaking out each year.
Furthermore, the number of people who have have died in fires has shrunk from 150 seven years ago.
Less socially protected groups, or homeless people and poor people, made up for a third of the fire victims, Eklons said.
He also singled out a telling statistic, namely that none of the fire victims had smoke detectors installed.
