Fatal Fires in Residential Buildings (2018–2020)
Topical Fire Report Series | June 2022 | Volume 22, Issue 2
This topical report addresses the characteristics of fatal fires in residential buildings as reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). The focus of this report is on fires from 2018 to 2020.
At a Glance
Each year, from 2018 to 2020, an estimated average of 1,900 fatal fires in residential buildings were reported to fire departments within the United States.
These fires caused an estimated:
2,745 deaths
625 injuries
$230 million in property loss
Fatal fires in residential buildings were highest between midnight to 1 a.m. (7%).
Fatal fires in residential buildings were more prevalent in the cooler months, peaking in January (14%).
“Other unintentional, careless” action was the leading cause of fatal fires in residential buildings (20%).
80% In 80% of fatal fires in residential buildings, the fire extended beyond the room of origin.
Fatal fires in residential buildings most often started in bedrooms (27%) and common areas such as living and family rooms (26%).
Smoke alarms were not present in 24% of fatal fires in occupied 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.