Each year more than 5,000 Americans die and more than 25,000 are injured in fires, many of which could be prevented. Below are some simple facts that explain the particular characteristics of fire. In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house. In minutes, a house can be engulfed in flames.
Most fires occur in the home when people are asleep.
If you wake up to a fire, you won't have time to grab valuables because fire spreads too quickly and the smoke is too thick. There is only time to escape. Heat is more threatening than flames. A fire's heat alone can kill. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level.