Research by Halifax General Insurance has shown the huge difference in claims costs for house fires around the country.
Figures released by the insurer show the average cost to be around £5,000 per incident, but with a high of £13,853 in Lincoln and a low of £685 in Reading and Newbury.
But nationally the figures showed a north-south divide with an average claim in London of £8,891 while south west Scotland was £2,329.
Halifax General Insurance chief executive Howard Posner said: "House fires bring misery to thousands of homes in the UK every year and pose a risk to life as well as causing huge damage to property - yet many of us are unaware of the hidden hazards in our homes."
