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Residential Building Fire Causes (2013-2022)

National estimates

The 2022 national estimates for the leading causes of residential building fires show that there were:

  • 178,600 cooking fires.
  • 34,800 heating fires.
  • 33,000 other unintentional, careless fires.
  • 26,100 electrical malfunction fires.

Overall trends

Overall trends in the leading fire causes for the 10-year period of 2013 to 2022 show the following:

  • Cooking as the leading cause of residential building fires for the 10-year period.
  • A 7% decrease in residential cooking fires.
  • A 34% decrease in residential heating fires.
  • A 49% increase in residential other unintentionally or carelessly set fires.
  • A 6% increase in residential electrical malfunction fires.

Leading causes of residential building fires (2013-2022)

2013201420152016201720182019202020212022
Cooking188000189800193400183300191800192700178100192600170000178600
Heating49000476004120035100338003570033100330003220034800
Other unintentional, careless21000220002450024200264002860027200278002980033000
Electrical malfunction23100239002450023500241002570024200234002420026100