At a Glance
From 2017 to 2019, an estimated
368,500
residential building fires
were reported to U.S. fire departments each year.
These fires caused an estimated:
![2,770 deaths](/img/icons/v21i2-1a.318x315.png)
deaths
![11,650 injuries](/img/icons/v21i2-1b.450x167.png)
injuries
![$8.1 billion](/img/icons/v21i2-1c.449x351.png)
in property loss
![steaming pan](/img/icons/v21i2-3-cooking-fires.450x323.png)
At 51%, cooking was the leading cause of residential building fires. Nearly all (93%) residential building cooking fires were small, confined fires.
![January calendar](/img/icons/v21i2-4.450x360.png)
Residential building fire incidence was higher in the cooler months, peaking in January at 10%.
![clock face with 5 to 8 emphasized](/img/icons/v21i2-5.451x360.png)
Residential building fires occurred most frequently in the early evening, peaking during the dinner hours from 5 to 8 p.m., when cooking fire incidence is high.
![stove fire](/img/icons/v21i2-6.350x350.png)
Nonconfined residential building fires most of ten started in cooking areas and kitchens (21%).
![house with a flame on top half of it](/img/icons/v21i2-7.350x315.png)
In 50% of nonconfined residential building fires, the fire extended beyond the room of origin.
The leading reported factor contributing to ignition category in nonconfined residential building fires was misuse of material or product (37%).