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Topical Fire Report Series July 2021 | Volume 21, Issue 6

One- and Two-Family Residential Building Fires (2017-2019)

The residential building portion of the fire problem is of great national importance, as it accounts for the vast majority of civilian casualties. This report describes the characteristics of 1- and 2-family residential building fires reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System for 2017-2019.

Download the full 16-page report

At a Glance

Each year, from 2017 to 2019, an estimated average of
230,500
1- and 2-family residential building fires
were reported to fire departments in the United States.

These fires caused an estimated annual average of:

2,220 deaths
7,250 injuries

injuries

$6 billion

in property loss

steaming pan

Deaths in 1- and 2-family residential building fires accounted for far more deaths in most years than all natural disasters combined.

63%

1- and 2-family residential building fires accounted for 63% of all residential building fires.

cooking pan

Cooking, at 37%, was the leading cause of 1- and 2-family residential building fires.

January calendar

1- and 2-family residential building fires occurred more often in the cooler months, peaking in January at 11%.

house with a flame on top half of it

In 54% of nonconfined 1- and 2-family residential building fires, the fire extended beyond the room of fire origin.

smoke alarm

Smoke alarms were not present in 23% of nonconfined fires in occupied 1- and 2-family residential buildings.