Nearly half of fire deaths in buildings occur in properties with a working smoke alarm, a BBC investigation has revealed.

The figures – obtained through a Freedom of Information request by BBC Radio 5 Live’s breakfast programme – show that the deaths accounted for 157 out of the 340 people killed in UK property fires in 2010.

The deaths could be attributed to the lack of planning of escape routes or blocked exits, says the report. But around 40% of fatal fires involved alcohol as a contributory factor, with people unable to hear or respond to smoke alarms.

“About 60% of house fires are caused by fires in the kitchen,” Rob Davies, community safety officer at West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service told the programme. “But when you come onto fatalities and fire deaths, it's slightly different. In fact, with 40% of fire fatalities there has been some involvement with alcohol."

Responding to the findings, Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said it’s important to have an escape plan as well as fitting smoke alarms.

“Smoke alarms are not and cannot be a replacement for firefighters. Too many fire services have used the fitting of smoke alarms to justify cuts to their local fire service, and these figures show why that is very wrong.

“When a working smoke alarm gives an early alert to a fire it gives firefighters a better chance of rescuing those who are trapped. That has been undermined by slower response times, which do reduce your chances of survival or limiting injuries.”