National estimates
The 2022 national estimates for the leading causes of residential building fire deaths show that there were:
- 665 other unintentional, careless fire deaths.
- 555 cause-under-investigation fire deaths.
- 295 smoking fire deaths.
Overall trends
Overall trends in the leading fire death causes for the 10-year period of 2013 to 2022 show the following:
- Other unintentional, careless was the leading cause of residential fire deaths in 9 years out of the 10-year period.
- There was a 44% increase in residential other unintentionally or carelessly set fire deaths.
In 2018, there were 16 reported multifatality fire incidents, 18 in 2019, 9 in 2020, 15 in 2021 and 23 in 2022. These reported multifatality fire incidents may have contributed to the increase in the estimates of fire deaths. - Cause under investigation was the leading or second leading cause of residential fire deaths 6 years out of the 10-year period.
- There was an 89% increase in residential cause-under-investigation fire deaths.
In 2019, there were 10 reported multifatality fire incidents, 18 in 2020, 11 in 2021 and 19 in 2022. These multifatality fire incidents may have contributed to the increase in the estimates of fire deaths. - A 10% decrease in residential smoking and a 16% decrease in residential intentional fire deaths.
Leading causes of residential building fire deaths (2013-2022)
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other unintentional, careless | 465 | 450 | 440 | 480 | 435 | 545 | 585 | 500 | 575 | 665 |
| Cause under investigation | 275 | 305 | 365 | 405 | 355 | 375 | 470 | 505 | 470 | 555 |
| Smoking | 320 | 325 | 320 | 375 | 300 | 390 | 320 | 330 | 275 | 295 |
| Intentional | 320 | 235 | 290 | 260 | 370 | 255 | 265 | 185 | 275 | 265 |
| Electrical malfunction | 335 | 325 | 290 | 310 | 200 | 255 | 225 | 200 | 295 | 185 |