Humberside Fire & Rescue Service are to trial the installation of sprinklers in the homes of elderly and vulnerable people who are unable to escape in the event of a fire.

The fire suppression systems will be installed in ten homes in a trial partnership with the local NHS trusts and councils.

The service is targeting zero deaths in residential properties in 2012. There were six domestic fire deaths in 2011 in the Humberside area, according to the service.

Last year, the Welsh Assembly passed legislation to make the installation of sprinklers in new homes mandatory. While no such legislation exists in England, the National Fire and Sprinkler Network-backed petition to force a debate on the issue has received widespread support.

Daryl Oprey, head of safety for Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, speaking with BBC News said, "These measures help give us more time to get there, or give them more time to survive whilst we get there.

"A fire can take hold very quickly and the products of combustion can have a serious effect within minutes.

"It takes minutes for the fire service to get there and unfortunately on some occasions we are a little bit too late.

"If we can extend the survivability of that person within the home then it will give us that window to get there and help them."