Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock () or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Nonresidential Building Fire Causes (2011‑2020)

National estimates

The 2020 national estimates for the leading causes of nonresidential building fires show that there were:

  • 28,600 cooking fires.
  • 14,600 intentional fires.
  • 12,200 other unintentional, careless fires.

Overall trends

Overall trends in the leading fire causes for the 10-year period of 2011 to 2020 show the following:

  • Cooking as the leading cause of nonresidential building fires for the 10-year period.
  • A 24% increase in nonresidential cooking fires.
    This increase may be due to an NFIRS coding edit implemented in 2012.
  • A 52% increase in nonresidential intentionally set fires.
  • A 54% increase in nonresidential other unintentionally or carelessly set fires.

Leading causes of nonresidential building fires (2011-2020)

2011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Cooking24100272002740029000309002890033700317003320028600
Heating6200740084009000790071007600710074006400
Other Unintentional, Careless84009100860010000109001070012300119001280012200
Electrical Malfunction7800640074008000820071008200810082006800
Intentional89009700910088009800900010900102001200014600