:D - hello first post, so hoping that you are far better than I when it comes to electrics!
Have just moved into a new house and could not believe that the previous couple had not left bulbs in the front room. One electric shock later and I now know why- none of the electric lights turn off at the switch; how can this be and will it be a big job??
One other thing could this cause an electrical fire whilst we are trying to sort an electrician out?
Thanks in advance

It could be a defective switch.
Also possible is that the installed switch is unipolar.
Incorrect wiring is also possible of course.
Fire due to this is unlikely, electrical fire is usually caused by resistive contacts or connections that heat up - which probably is not the case.
Having the circuit metered out by a skilled person, followed by a repair action is the only solution.

Not sure what sort of a mess you are left. Since the house hasn't burned down yet, it may not. You can run wires directly to a light fixture without using a switch. You can even buy switches that screw into the socket and have a socket worked by the switch.

The word whilst is not used commonly in the USA. Does that mean you are elsewhere? European wiring is a little different than here.

If there never were switches for the fixtures, adding switches could be difficult. It may not be too bad if the original wire happens to pass a good place for a switch. Otherwise, it means trying to add wires inside the wall or using unsightly surface mounted conduit.

For the reply- my mind has been put at rest...
I was quite alarmed when I found that the electric would not switch off- have removed the bulb that I put in and I presume that the whole thing remains live; fortunatley I cannot stand the light fitting anyway!
Quite annoyed that the previous couple did not tell us and rather let me find out by having an electric shock... hey hum!

I misunderstood you question. I thought you meant there weren't any switches. If there are switches, but they don't work, chances are the sellers are liable for making them work. Find a reliable electrician, and have him go over the entire system and straighten things out.

The law here requires the systems in the house to be working at the time of sale, unless the problem is made known. See if you can get a good answer at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58. If not, try to find another site that has a stronger legal advice. Your mortgage holder may also help on that issue.