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Residential Building Fire Death Causes (2011‑2020)

National estimates

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

  • 505 cause-under-investigation fire deaths.
  • 500 other unintentional, careless fire deaths.
  • 330 smoking fire deaths.

Overall trends

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

  • Cause under investigation was the leading cause of residential fire deaths in 2020.
  • A 67% increase in residential cause-under-investigation fire deaths.
    In 2019 and 2020, 10 and 18 reported multifatality fire incidents (resulting in 2, 3 or 4 deaths), respectively, may have contributed to the increase in the estimate of fire deaths.
  • Other unintentional, careless was the leading cause of residential fire deaths in 8 years out of the 10-year period
  • A 57% increase in residential other unintentionally or carelessly set fire deaths.
    In 2018, 2019 and 2020, 16, 18 and 9 reported multifatality fire incidents (resulting in 2, 3, 4 or 5 deaths each), respectively, may have contributed to the increase in the estimate of fire deaths.
  • An 8% increase in residential smoking fire deaths.

Leading causes of residential building fire deaths (2011-2020)

2011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Other unintentional, careless360295465450440480435545585500
Cause under investigation350285275305365405355375470505
Smoking305330320325320375300390320330
Intentional240320320235290260370255265185
Electrical malfunction280210335325290310200255225200