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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)
2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Other unintentional, careless | 360 | 295 | 465 | 450 | 440 | 480 | 435 | 545 | 585 | 500 |
Cause under investigation | 350 | 285 | 275 | 305 | 365 | 405 | 355 | 375 | 470 | 505 |
Smoking | 305 | 330 | 320 | 325 | 320 | 375 | 300 | 390 | 320 | 330 |
Intentional | 240 | 320 | 320 | 235 | 290 | 260 | 370 | 255 | 265 | 185 |
Electrical malfunction | 280 | 210 | 335 | 325 | 290 | 310 | 200 | 255 | 225 | 200 |