U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Data Center

Fatal Fires 

Topical Fire Research Series, Volume 5 – Issue 1

March 2005
T O P I C A L F I R E R E S E A R C H S E R I E S

Fatal Fires 

March 2005 Volume 5, Issue 1

 Findings 

■ An estimated 3,300 fatal fires claimed the lives of 3,380 civilians: 86% involved a 

single fatality, 10% involved two fatalities, and 4% involved three or more fatalities. 

■ Injuries were 32 times as great and property losses were 8 times as great in fatal 

fires as in nonfatal fires. 

■ 74% of fatal fires occurred in structures, 94% of these on residential properties. 

■ 94% of fatal fires occurred either in structures or in cars. 

■ The leading cause of fires that resulted in fatalities was arson (27%), followed by 

smoking (18%). 

■ The leading areas of fire origin in fatal residential structure fires were sleeping 

(29%) and lounge (21%) areas. 

■ Fatal fires were most common in the winter. 

■ Smoke alarms either were not present in 42% of residential fatal fires or alarms 

were present but did not operate in 21% of residential fatal fires. 

■ 65% of deaths were males; 23% were older adults (over 64); 14% were children 

under 10. 

Of the nearly 1.7 million estimated fires reported annually to fire departments in 2002, an estimated 3,300 

claimed the lives of 3,380 civilians. These fatal fires also injured 1,100 civilians and caused more than $159 million 

in property damage.1 2 Of the fatal fires reported in 2002, 86% involved a single fatality, and 10% involved two 

fatalities. The remaining 4% of fatal fires involved between three and eight fatalities. This report summarizes some of 

the major characteristics of these fatal fires, with an emphasis on fatal fires in residential structures. 

LOSS MEASURES 

Fatal fires are relatively few in number, but they are devastating in outcome. Losses from fatal fi res are generally 

much higher than losses associated with nonfatal fires. Dollar losses in 2002 associated with fatal fires were nearly 

eight times that of all other fires. The injury rate for fatal fires was 32 times that of all nonfatal fi res. Fatal fi res in 

residential structures had more than 4 times the dollar loss and nearly 12 times the injury rate as nonfatal residential 

structure fires. In more than half of the fatal residential structure fi res (57%), flame damage extended throughout 

the structure whereas flame damage extended throughout the structure in only 19% of nonfatal residential 

structures. Figure 1 shows the loss measures for fatal and nonfatal fires in all properties and in residential properties 

alone. 

Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security • Federal Emergency Management Agency 

United States Fire Administration • National Fire Data Center 

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/inside-usfa/nfdc/pubs/tfrs.shtm 

1 
i

Inj i i

i

$51,795

402.9

1,221.0

$11,618

33.9

—

All 

$5,832

12.5

2.4

All l 

All 

l 

$45,368

375.3

1216.0

$5,754

11.8

—

All All l 

All 

l 

All Fi i ial i ly 

$11,832

35.9

6.5

$ Loss/F re

ur es/1,000 F res

Fatalit es/1,000 Fires

FIGURE 1. LOSS MEASURES IN FATAL AND NONFATAL FIRES 

Loss Measure Fata Nonfata Fata Nonfata

res Res dent Structure F res On

Source: NFIRS 5.0

WHERE FATAL FIRES OCCUR 

Although most fires occur outdoors, fatal fires occur most frequently in structures. The 2002 fi re experience 

follows this pattern: outdoor fires accounted for 40% of all fires but only 3% of fatal fi res. 

Figure 2 shows the graphical breakdown of where fatal fires occur. Structure fires accounted for the majority 

(74%) of fatal fires in 2002. Of these fatal structure fires, 94% occurred in residences. The overall result is that the 

overwhelming majority of fatal fires (69%) are residential structure fires. Twenty-one percent of fatal fi res occurred 

in vehicles; the remaining 6% were divided between outside and other types of fi res. 

) 

icle 

) 

) 

i ial 

) 

) 

Non-Res 

Structure 

(4.3%

FIGURE 2. WHERE FATAL FIRES OCCUR 

Veh

(20.7%

Outside 

(3.1%

Res dent

Structure 

(69.3%

Other 

(2.6%

Source: NFIRS 5.0 

CAUSES OF FATAL FIRES 

The leading cause of fatal fires in 2002 was incendiary/suspicious (arson), which accounted for 27% of fatal 

fires. Figure 3 compares the causes of fatal fires in all properties and in residential properties. Smoking, long the 

leading cause of fatal fires, trailed as the second leading cause of all fatal fires at 18%. Arson was also the leading 

cause of the fatal residential structure fires (22%), but by a small margin over smoking (21%). This again is a 

departure from years past as smoking has long been the leading cause (by a wide margin) of fatal residential fi res. 

Multiple fatality fires in residential structures were most often caused by heating (26%), followed by arson 

(23%). By contrast, arson and smoking (each 22%) cause most single fatality residential structure fi res. 

2 
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 

i i

Chil l i

i

Cooki

i l Distri

l 

j

All 

Incend ary/Susp cious 

dren P ay ng 

Smoking 

Heat ng 

ng 

Electr ca bution 

Appliances 

Open Flame 

Other Heat 

Other Equipment 

Natura

Exposure 

FIGURE 3. CAUSES OF FATAL FIRES 

Ad usted Percent 

Properties 

Residential Properties Only 

Source: NFIRS 5.0 

WHERE FATAL RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE FIRES START 

Figure 4 shows the leading areas of fire origin in fatal residential structure fires. They started most frequently in 

sleeping (29%) and lounge areas (21%).3

 Fires starting in kitchens account for another 15%. 

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 

j

Lounge Area 

Sleeping Area 

Kitchen 

FIGURE 4. WHERE FATAL RESIDENTIAL 

STRUCTURE FIRES START 

Ad usted Percent 

Source: NFIRS 5.0 

3 
WHEN FATAL FIRES OCCUR 

Figure 5 shows the monthly breakdown of all reported fatal fires in 2002. January has the most fatal fi res 

with 14% of the annual total; December is second at 11% and February third at 10%. The frequency of fatal fi res 

follows a seasonal trend, with fewer in the summer and considerably more in the winter. This pattern is repeated in 

residential structure fires but with a more pronounced winter peak. Fatal fires peak between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. 

0 2 4 6 8 

April 

July 

j

i i i

10 12 14 16 18 

January 

February 

March 

May 

June 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

FIGURE 5. FATAL FIRES BY MONTH 

Ad usted Percent 

All Properties 

Res dent al Propert es Only 

Source: NFIRS 5.0 

SMOKE ALARM PERFORMANCE 

Smoke alarm performance in fatal residential structure fires is shown in Figure 6. Although more than 90% 

of homes have smoke alarms today,4 5 no smoke alarms were present in 42% of residential structure fi res where 

fatalities occurred. Smoke alarms were present in 58% of fatal residential structure fires, but only operational in 37% 

of those fatal fi res. 

0 

j

10 20 30 40 50 

No Detector Present 

Operated 

Did Not Operate 

FIGURE 6. SMOKE ALARM PERFORMANCE IN 

FATAL RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE FIRES 

Ad usted Percent 

Source: NFIRS 5.0 

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PROFILE OF FATALITIES 

Males died more frequently in fires (65%) than females, as has been the case for many years. Children under 10 

years accounted for 14% of fire fatalities (Figure 7). The older population (65 and over) was the single largest group 

of fatalities and accounted for 23% of all fi re deaths. 

0 3 6 9 

0-9 

10-19 

20-29 

30-39 

40-49 

50-59 

60-69 

70-79 

80-89 

90-99 

j

i i i

12 15 18 

FIGURE 7. FIRE FATALITIES BY AGE 

Ad usted Percent 

All Properties 

Res dent al Propert es Only 

Source: NFIRS 5.0 

The same general profile applied for residential structure fires: 59% of the fatalities were male; children under 

10 years accounted for 17% of fire fatalities; and the older population accounted for 27% of the fatalities. 

Thirty-five percent of those killed in fires were asleep at the time of injury. Twenty-five percent died trying to 

escape from the fire. Where a human factor was noted to contribute to residential fatalities, possible impairment 

by alcohol (14%) and physically disabled (12%) were noted as important factors.6

 More than half of residential 

fatalities were in the area of fire origin (57%) when fatal injury occurred, and 63% were involved in some manner 

in starting the fi re. 

EXAMPLES 

A January 2005 fire that claimed the lives of a mother and her 4-year-old daughter in the Chicago area was 

caused by the careless use of smoking materials. High concentrations of both alcohol and tranquilizers were found 

in the mother’s blood. Carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death for both victims.7 

Two adults died in two separate fires over the course of two days in St. Paul, Minnesota, in February 2005. The 

St. Paul Fire Chief believed that both incidents were preventable. Smoke detectors with missing batteries or otherwise 

inoperable were found in both homes. Careless smoking played a role in one fire, and possibly the second as well.8 

Arson is suspected in the fire that killed a family of four in Pendleton, Oregon, in July 2002. A husband and 

wife and their daughters, aged 3 and 4, perished in their mobile home 3 days after a car was set on fire outside their 

home following a dispute.9 

A March 2005 townhouse fire in a New Orleans suburb resulted in the deaths of 11 members of a family. Four 

people were able to escape. The fire was caused by a candle igniting a mattress. Authorities said one of the family 

members tried to move the burning mattress down a flight of stairs, limiting vital escape time and contributing to 

the tragedy.10 

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CONCLUSION 

The increase in arson fires that cause fatalities is a troublesome statistic. Many other fatal fi res, however, are 

preventable. Many smoking-related fires can be prevented by ensuring that all smoking materials are properly 

extinguished and by not smoking in bed or the bedroom, or when drowsy. Properly maintaining, routinely 

inspecting, and properly installing heating equipment can best prevent the fatal fires caused by heating. Cooking 

should never be left unattended, and the cook should remain alert to the possibility of grease-type fires and how to 

quickly extinguish them. 

Efforts must be made to establish a fire-safe home, especially a safe sleeping environment. The presence of a 

properly installed and functioning smoke alarm can prevent many fi re fatalities. 

To request additional information or comment on this report, visit 

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/feedback 

Notes: 1 National estimates are based on 2002 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and the National Fire 

Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) annual report, Fire Loss in the United States During 2002. 

2 Distribution statistics are based on data from NFIRS 2002. At the time of this report, NFIRS is continuing to transition from 

version 4.1 to 5.0. Due to issues related to accurate conversion of version 4.1 data to version 5.0, this report is based on version 

5.0 data only. 

3 Lounge areas include living rooms, common rooms, TV rooms, dens, recreation rooms, family rooms, sitting rooms, music 

rooms, and the like. 

4

 Charles L. Smith, Smoke Detector Operability Survey, Report on Findings (revised), Consumer Product Safety Commission, October 1994. 

Smith reports that 88% of homes surveyed had at least one smoke alarm. 

5

 Marty Ahrens, U.S. Experience with Smoke Alarms and Other Fire Detection/Alarm Equipment, National Fire Protection Association, November 

2003. Ahrens notes the rise in smoke alarm usage; by 1999, smoke alarms were placed in 19 of 20 homes.

6 More than one human factor could contribute to the fatality. The percentages cited reflect percentages of all factors noted.

7 Chris Brenner, “Two Fire Deaths in Gurnee Home Ruled Accidental,” The NewsSun Online, March 7, 2005

http://surbanchicagonews.com/newssun/top/w04inquest.htm.

8 Mara H. Gottfried, “2nd Fire Death Worries Chief,” TwinCities.com, February 27, 2005

http://twincities.com/mld/twincities/2005/02/28/news/local/11002530.htm.

9 Karen Zacharias, “2 Arrested in Pendleton Fire Deaths,” Tri-City Herald.com, July 30, 2002

http://Tri-Cityherald.com/news/2002/0730/story1.html.

10 Michelle Hunter and Susan Langenhennig, “Mattresses, candles a deadly mix,” The Times-Picayune, March 12, 2005

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-3/111061068999980.xml.

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