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:
injuries
in property loss
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, at 37%, was the leading cause of 1- and 2-family residential building fires.
1- and 2-family residential building fires occurred more often in the cooler months, peaking in January at 11%.
In 54% of nonconfined 1- and 2-family residential building fires, the fire extended beyond the room of fire origin.
Smoke alarms were not present in 23% of nonconfined fires in occupied 1- and 2-family residential buildings.