USFA Issues Report on Smoking-Related Fires in Residential Buildings

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has issued a special report examining the characteristics of smoking-related fires in residential buildings. The report, “Smoking-Related Fires in Residential Buildings (2008-2010),” was developed by USFA’s National Fire Data Center. The report is part of the Topical Fire Report Series and is based on 2008 to 2010 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

According to the report, an estimated 7,600 smoking-related fires in residential buildings occur annually in the United States, resulting in an estimated average of 365 deaths, 925 injuries, and $326 million in property loss. While smoking-related fires account for only two percent of all residential building fires, they are a leading cause of fire deaths, accounting for fourteen percent of fire deaths in residential buildings. In addition, cigarettes are, by far, the leading type of smoking material involved in residential smoking fires and account for 86 percent of these fires. Finally, residential building smoking-related fires occur most often in the afternoon and evening hours, peaking from 2:00 to 3:00 PM. Forty-two percent of smoking-related fires in residential buildings occur from noon to 8:00 PM; however, the smoking-related fires that occur in the late evening and early morning tend to be the most deadly.

To access the complete report, please visit:

USFA: Smoking-Related Fires in Residential Buildings (2008-2010) (June 2012)

Background information:

National Fire Incident Reporting System

U.S. Fire Administration