U.S. Fire Administration

TOPICAL FIRE RESEARCH SERIES

Volume 2, Issue 3

July 2001 (Rev. March 2002)

Grill Fires

FINDINGS

S Each year, an average of 6,500 grill fires result in nearly $27 million in

property loss.

S Most grill fires are associated with residences.

S Grill fires increase during the warm-weather months, corresponding to

increased outdoor recreational activities.

S As the public increases its use of gas grills, the number of gas grill

fires has increased significantly, with a corresponding drop in charcoal

fires.

S Mechanical failure or malfunction is by far the leading ignition factor for

grill fires.

Sources: NFPA and NFIRS

Each year, the fire service responds to an estimated 6,500 grill fires. These fires

account for 150 civilian injuries, less than 5 civilian deaths, and $27.6 million in property

loss (Figure 1).1 Together, these three areas account for two-thirds of all residential grill

fires. Of these grill fires, 71% occur in residential areas.

2 In residential areas, 63% of

grill fires occur outside the structure, while 32% percent are coded as “structure fires.”3

This report examines the characteristics of all grill fires, with specific focus on outdoor

grill fires occurring in residential areas—the most common type of grill fire.

Figure 1. Loss Measures for Grill Fires

(3-year average, NFIRS data 1996–98)

MEASURE ALL FIRES GRILL FIRES

Dollar Loss/Fire $5,619 $4,831

Injuries/1,000 Fires 15.7 26.4

Fatalities/1,000 Fires 2.4 0.4

Source: NFIRS only
Grill fires occur in two main areas: areas associated with residences and areas that

have no specific association but which are generally outside (Figure 2). More than 70%

of grill fires occur in residential areas, associated with either the outdoor area or the residence itself. Twenty percent of grills fires occur in areas not specifically associated with

any property area. Less than 1% percent occur in campsites or recreational areas.

Residential (including hotels)

(71%)

No Area Specified

(21%)

Business/Industrial

(4%)

Institutional

(2%)

Public Assembly

(including

recreational parks)

(0.2%)

Special Properties

(including campsites)

(2%)

Residential (including hotels)

(71%)

No Area Specified

(21%)

Business/Industrial

(4%)

Institutional

(2%)

Public Assembly

(including

recreational parks)

(0.2%)

Special Properties

(including campsites)

(2%)

Figure 2. General Property Types for Grill Fires

Source: NFIRS only

Grill fires occur most frequently during the summer months, their percentages

increasing significantly in May (increasing from 9% in April to 14% in May) (Figure 3).

They reach a peak in July (16%) and decrease again in August (10%), and continue to

slowly decrease as the weather gets cooler. This pattern correlates with warm-weather

outdoor recreational activities.

0

3

6

9

12

15

18

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Percent

Figure 3. Grill Fires by Month

(3-year average, NFIRS data 1996–98)

Source: NFIRS only
Nearly a third of residential grill fires start on a court, terrace, or patio (Figure 4).

Lawns and other nearby open areas account for an additional 27% of fire locations, and

exterior balconies or open porches account for 21%. Some areas where residential grill

fires start (specifically balconies or porches of apartments or condominiums) violate fire

codes in many jurisdictions.

PERCENT

Court, Terrace, Patio

Lawn Field, Open Area

Exterior Balcony, Open Porch

Garage, Carport, Vehicle Storage Area

29

27

21

5

Figure 4. Area of Fire Origin for

Residential Grill Fires

(3-year average, NFIRS data 1996–98)

AREA OF FIRE ORIGIN

Source: NFIRS only

Figure 5 lists the general ignition factors for all grill fires. The leading ignition factor is a

result of some mechanical failure, such as a part failure, leak, or break and lack of maintenance (43%). Other leading ignition factors for outdoor grill fires include “operational

deficiency” (primarily leaving the grill unattended), misuse of the material ignited (combustible material was too close to the heat), and misuse of the heat of ignition itself (inadequate control of the open fire and abandoned materials).

Source: NFIRS only

Figure 5. Ignition Factors for Grill Fires

(3-year average, NFIRS data 1996–98)

IGNITION FACTOR PERCENT

Mechanical Failure, Malfunction

Operational Deficiency

Misuse of Material Ignited

Misuse of Heat of Ignition

Natural and Other Ignition Factors

Incendiary or Suspicious

Design, Construction, Installation

Deficiency

43

16

16

15

4

3

3

Grill fires have increased nearly two times from 1985 to 1998. The increase

mirrors the increase in purchase and usage of grills—especially gas and electric—over this period.4 Gas grills are involved in four times as many outdoor

fires as structure fires. However, most deaths, injuries, and dollar loss from

grill fires are from fires that originate in or spread to structures.

5
Fires involving charcoal grills have decreased four and a half times as more homeowners switch to LP (propane) grills. These gas grills have a higher percentage of

mechanical failures/malfunctions than charcoal grills.

6

EXAMPLES

S A gas grill fire broke out on June 14, 1998, in Buffalo, New York. The fire

injured three people and two firefighters and caused nearly $1 million damage to a

nearby apartment building and its contents, leaving eight families homeless. An

improperly threaded connection on a propane gas tank located on a wooden deck of

an outdoor grill sparked the fire.

7

S A fire was ignited in April 1998 in Bangor, Maine when a 5-year-old boy ignited

a gas grill. The fire destroyed a shed and its contents.

8

S A ruptured line or tank on a propane grill triggered an explosion followed by a

fire in September 1996 in Buffalo, New York, resulting in $91,500 damage to nearby

homes.

9

CONCLUSION

Many outdoor grill fires could be prevented through periodic maintenance and routine product inspection. Also, homeowners should be made aware of the need for vigilance while cooking on a grill.

For further information, contact your local fire department or the USFA.

NOTES:

1. National estimates are based on National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data (1996–1998)

and the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) annual survey, Fire Loss in the United States.

2. Based on 1996–1998 NFIRS data, 3-year averages.

3. Based on 1996–1998 NFIRS data, 3-year averages. A fire may be coded as a structure fire while the

heat of ignition originated from outside the structure.

4. “Grill Statistical Data,” Barbeque Industry Association (http://www.bbgind.org).

5. U.S. Home Cooking Fire Patterns and Trends, NFPA, June 2001.

6. Idem.

7. The Buffalo News, June 14, 1998.

8. Bangor Daily News, April 14, 1998.

9. The Buffalo News, September 3, 1996.

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