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Residential Building Fire Injury Causes (2011‑2020)

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