The number of people killed in fires fell by 16 per cent to 52 last year, according to provisional figures from the National Safety Council (NSC).
The number killed in fires in 2001 was particularly high (62) so last year's figure was not as positive as it first appeared, an NSC spokesman said yesterday.
The vast majority died in domestic fires from smoke inhalation, with half the deaths taking place in the first four months of the year. The lowest number of deaths occurred in July, when one person died in a fire.
Males over 50 years are still the group most at risk of dying in a fire, according to the latest figures.
There was a large drop in the number of deaths in Dublin last year. Some 16 deaths were recorded in 2002, compared with 26 in 2001.
Co Louth recorded the highest fire fatality rate outside Dublin, with seven deaths, followed by Co Mayo with six fatalities. Co Kerry and Co Cork each recorded five fire deaths.
There were no fire fatalities in Cavan, Kildare, Galway, Laois,Meath, Offaly, Roscommon or Wicklow last year.
Seven people have been killed in fires to date this year. Five of these were over 65 years of age.
Mr Pat Costello, NSC chief executive, said: "Tragically, most of these fire deaths were avoidable and probably could have been prevented if a working smoke alarm had been present in the home".
He said a working smoke alarm reduced the risk of death by nearly 50 per cent. The alarm should be tested weekly.
