Multifamily Residential Building Fires (2017-2019)
Topical Fire Report Series | August 2021 | Volume 21, Issue 7
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 multifamily residential building fires reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System for 2017-2019.
At a Glance
Each year, from 2017 to 2019, an estimated average of
106,700 multifamily residential building fires
were reported to fire departments in the United States.
These fires caused an estimated annual average of:
400 deaths
3,875 injuries
$1.7 billion in property loss
29% Multifamily residential building fires accounted for 29% of all residential building fires.
71% Small, confined fires accounted for 71% of multifamily residential building fires.
Multifamily residential building fire incidence was slightly higher in the cooler months, peaking in January at 10%.
Cooking, at 74%, was the leading cause of multifamily residential building fires — 95% were small, confined fires with limited damage.
Cooking areas and kitchens (33%) were the primary areas of origin for nonconfined multifamily residential building fires.
Smoke alarms were present in 64% of nonconfined multifamily residential building fires.
These topical reports are designed to explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System. Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information.