The number of major property fires fell, according to the figures

There were 619,800 fires in 2003, although major fires involving property and vehicles fell by 4%, government figures showed.

Numbers were swelled by grassland fires in the warm spring and summer.

The FBU said grassland fires and flooding showed global warming was having "an impact on the burden faced by fire authorities".

The union's general secretary Andy Gilchrist said: "The fire service is under growing pressure to deal with these issues.

"It is important that we sit down with government about how this is addressed."

The figures showed 616 people died in fires in 2003, 54 more than the previous year, but lower than fire-related fatalities in 1999 and 1998.

But Mr Gilchrist said the number of people killed in accidental fires was rising and described the figures as "alarming".

He said firefighters were being stretched to breaking point and called for a "constructive discussion" with the government.