## 5 Discussion  
This study employs dimensionality reduction techniques including PCA, FA, and OOB predictor importance. Based on the findings of our study, a notable correlation is evident between human-caused fires in Keelung City and regions characterized by a greater prevalence of buildings aged over 40 years. After normalization, Factors 7 (proportion of buildings over 40 years old), 11 (proportion of tertiary sector of the economy), and 3 (proportion of elderly population), which are highly correlated with fires, are overlaid with the coordinates of historical fire disaster events, as illustrated in Figure 9.  
From Figure 9, it is found that these three factors highly correlated with fires show a positive correlation with historical fire disaster events. Based on the findings of this study, the following strategies can be recommended to reduce the frequency of fire incidents, particularly in areas with the highest fire frequency:  
1. Building Safety Upgrades: It is advisable to implement safety upgrade initiatives in areas characterized by densely populated and aging structures. This involves renovating electrical systems and maintaining older structures to enhance their fire resistance [57]. Additionally, prioritizing the inspection of older buildings is essential. Moreover, utilizing multi-sensor and information fusion technology for early detection and alarm systems in building fires can also help reduce the risk of fires [58]. Strengthening the monitoring and inspection of older buildings is crucial to ensure compliance with current fire safety standards and to encourage necessary renovations and enhancements. 2. Industrial Oversight: Several research findings indicate that effective fire safety measures encompass fire-related training, fire evacuation drills, functional fire alarms, establishment of fire emergency exits and escape plans, and knowledge of fire hazards [59; 60; 61]. In areas with a high density of tertiary sector activities, it is recommended to enforce stricter industrial regulations. This involves ensuring that businesses in these zones comply with fire prevention and emergency response regulations, thereby mitigating the risk of fires. 3. Elderly Population Safety: Risk factors such as reduced mobility, impaired cognitive ability, mental disorders, and smoking were observed among the elderly [62]. It is advisable to focus efforts on villages with a higher concentration of elderly residents. Figure 8: Biplots of the population, building and economic-related features on the rotated factors: (**a**) population and economic-related features; (**b**) economic and building-related features; (**c**) building and population-related features. (blue dots represent the original variables, while red lines represent the directions and magnitudes of the factors). This includes raising awareness of fire safety, engaging in advocacy initiatives, and enhancing fire prevention measures in the living environments of the elderly. This study recommends the implementation of the three aforementioned strategies, which may contribute to reducing the frequency of fire incidents and enhancing the overall fire resilience of the community. In this comprehensive exploration of factors influencing fire safety, our study addresses crucial elements such as the aging population, buildings exceeding 40 years, and the role of the tertiary sector in the economy. Building upon the findings of [PERSON] et al. [12], we emphasize the heightened risk that the elderly population faces concerning domestic fires, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate such risks in their homes. As underscored by [PERSON] et al. [13], the age of the dwelling emerges as a critical factor amplifying the susceptibility to fire hazards. Their research signals that as houses age, the risk of fire incidents escalates, shedding light on a nuanced aspect of fire safety that demands attention.