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 Injury Causes (2011‑2020)

Main content

National estimates

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

  • 3,175 cooking fire injuries.
  • 1,800 other unintentional, careless fire injuries.
  • 975 electrical malfunction fire injuries.
  • 975 open-flame fire injuries.

Overall trends

Overall trends in the leading fire injury 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 25% decrease in residential cooking fire injuries.
  • A 40% increase in residential other unintentionally or carelessly set fire injuries.
  • A 10% decrease in residential electrical malfunction fire injuries.
  • A 23% decrease in residential open-flame fire injuries.

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

2011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Cooking3675442542254125377534753300310035503175
Other unintentional, careless1625105010751075135013251300145016501800
Electrical malfunction12009008759258508007508251050975
Open flame13001100115010509759259009751000975
Smoking1050800850775675750700700750725
Intentional850775725625650625700700750725