Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings (2017–2019)
Topical Fire Report Series | June 2021 | Volume 21, Issue 3
Fires can occur anywhere but fires that affect our homes are often the most tragic and the most preventable. This report describes the characteristics of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System for 2017-2019.
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.
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.