RESIDENTIAL BUILDING FIRE FATALITIES
AND FIRE INJURIES (2010–2012)
Residential
fires are of great national importance, as they account for the vast majority
of civilian casualties. National estimates for 2010-2012 show that 82 percent
of all fire deaths and 78 percent of all fire injuries occurred in residential
buildings.
Civilian
Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings (findings)
- Bedrooms, at 51 percent, were the leading specific location where civilian fire fatalities occurred in residential buildings.
- The time period from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. accounted for 52 percent of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings. This period also accounted for 49 percent of fatal fires in residential buildings.
- At the time of their deaths, 37 percent of fire victims in residential buildings were trying to escape; an additional 33 percent were sleeping.
- “Other unintentional, careless” actions (15 percent) and “smoking” (15 percent) were the leading reported causes of fatal fires in residential buildings.
- Males accounted for 57 percent of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings; females accounted for 43 percent of the fatalities.
Civilian
Fire Injuries in Residential Buildings (findings)
- Civilian fire injuries that occurred in residential buildings accounted for 78 percent of all fire injuries.
- Residential building fires resulting in injuries occurred most frequently in the late afternoon and early evening hours.
- January, at 10 percent, had the highest incidence of residential building fires resulting in injuries.
- Cooking, by far, was the leading reported cause for residential building fires that resulted in injuries.
- Of the civilian fire injuries that occurred in residential buildings, 35 percent resulted from trying to control a fire; an additional 26 percent occurred while the victim was attempting to escape.