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Nonresidential Building Fire Causes (2011‑2020)

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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