At a Glance
Annually, from 2017 to 2019, an estimated
2,770
civilian fire fatalities
resulted from 1,900 fatal fires in residential buildings.
From 2017 to 2019, civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings accounted for 77% of all estimated fire fatalities.
Thermal burns and smoke inhalation were the primary symptoms leading to death, accounting for 89% of all fatalities in residential building fires.
Bedrooms, at 50%, were the leading specific location where civilian fire fatalities occurred in residential buildings.
The time period from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. accounted for 49% of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings and 46% of fatal fires in residential buildings.
37%
At the time of their deaths, 37% of fire victims in residential buildings were trying to escape; an additional 31% were sleeping.
"Other unintentional, careless" actions (19%)
and
"smoking" (13%)
were the leading causes of fatal fires in residential buildings.
Males accounted for 58% of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings; females accounted for 42% of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings.
50‑69
Adults aged 50 to 69 accounted for 36% of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings.