Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock () or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Residential Building Fire Causes (2011‑2020)

National estimates

The 2020 national estimates for the leading causes of residential building fires show that there were:

  • 192,600 cooking fires.
  • 33,000 heating fires.
  • 27,800 other unintentional, careless fires.
  • 23,400 electrical malfunction fires.

Overall trends

Overall trends in the leading fire causes for the 10-year period of 2011 to 2020 show the following:

  • Cooking as the leading cause of residential building fires for the 10-year period.
  • A 7% increase in residential cooking fires.
    This is likely due to an NFIRS coding edit implemented in 2012.
  • A 34% decrease in residential heating fires.
  • A 30% increase in residential other unintentionally or carelessly set fires.
  • A 2% increase in residential electrical malfunction fires.

Leading causes of residential building fires (2011-2020)

2011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Cooking166600182000188000189800193400183300191800192700178100192600
Heating43700452004900047600412003510033800357003310033000
Other Unintentional, Careless24900211002100022000245002420026400286002720027800
Electrical Malfunction26800202002310023900245002350024100257002420023400