At a Glance
Annually, from 2017 to 2019, an estimated
2,770
civilian fire fatalities
resulted from 1,900 fatal fires in residential buildings.
![77%](/img/icons/v21i3-77percent.250x200.png)
From 2017 to 2019, civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings accounted for 77% of all estimated fire fatalities.
![fire and smoke](/img/icons/v21i3-smoke.250x200.png)
Thermal burns and smoke inhalation were the primary symptoms leading to death, accounting for 89% of all fatalities in residential building fires.
![person sleeping in a bed](/img/icons/v21i3-bedroom.250x200.png)
Bedrooms, at 50%, were the leading specific location where civilian fire fatalities occurred in residential buildings.
![clock face with arrow between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.](/img/icons/v21i3-time.250x200.png)
The time period from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. accounted for 49% of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings and 46% of fatal fires in residential buildings.
37%
At the time of their deaths, 37% of fire victims in residential buildings were trying to escape; an additional 31% were sleeping.
"Other unintentional, careless" actions (19%)
and
"smoking" (13%)
were the leading causes of fatal fires in residential buildings.
![icons for 6 men, 4 women](/img/icons/v21i3-gender.250x200.png)
Males accounted for 58% of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings; females accounted for 42% of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings.
50‑69
Adults aged 50 to 69 accounted for 36% of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings.