The number of people who died in fires doubled in the first three months of this year, rising to 20 from nine in the year earlier period, according to figures from the fire service.

Of those who died, eight were over the age of 65, four times as many as in the first three months of 2013.

The fire service is particularly concerned about the rise in the number of elderly victims. It expects a further rise in the number of deaths in this age category because of the increase in life expectancy and the fact that older people remain in their homes for longer, the Volkskrant reports.

The organisation says that older people are less likely to know what to do if fire breaks out and are less able to flee the premises without help.

However, smoke alarms which work and more fire resistant furniture could reduce the number of fires.