Statistical Reports: Smoking Fires

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Topical Fire Report Series

The National Fire Data Center's Topical Fire Report Series explores facets of the U.S. fire problem that affect Americans in their daily lives. Primarily based on data collected through USFA's National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), each issue briefly addresses the nature and relevance of the specific fire or fire-related problem, highlights important findings, and suggests other resources to consider for further information. Each topical report also includes recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report.

New: Smoking-Related Fires in Residential Buildings (2008-2010)
Findings from this report:

  • An estimated 7,600 smoking-related fires in residential buildings occur each year in the United States.
  • While smoking-related fires accounted for only 2 percent of all residential building fires, they were a leading cause of civilian fire deaths, accounting for 14 percent of fire deaths in residential buildings.
  • Nonconfined fires accounted for 93 percent of residential building smoking-related fires.
  • Sixty-seven percent of the nonconfined residential building smoking-related fires occurred because of abandoned or discarded smoking materials or products, primarily cigarettes.
  • The bedroom was the leading area of fire origin for nonconfined residential building smoking-related fires at 24 percent.
  • Residential building smoking-related fires occurred most often from noon to 8 p.m., peaking from 2 to 3 p.m. at 6 percent.

Download Smoking-Related Fires in Residential Buildings (2008-2010) » (PDF, 330 Kb)