National Fire Statistics
October 26, 2010
According to recently released 2009 fire loss data gathered by the National Fire Protection Association, there was a 7.1 percent decrease in fires nationwide from 2008 figures. However, U.S. fire departments still responded to an estimated 1,348,500 fires. These fires resulted in 3,010 civilian fire fatalities, over 17,000 civilian fire injuries and over $12.5 billion in direct property loss.
The majority of these fires were residential, but here's how the numbers break down in the commercial sector. In educational and institutional facilities there were around 5,500 fires each, a decrease of 8.3 percent and 15.4 percent respectively from 2008 numbers. Fires in stores and offices were estimated at 16,500 while the category including dorms and hotels saw 14,500 fires. This was a decrease of 19.5 percent and 12.1 percent respectively. Property loss for these categories combined totaled an estimated $1,765,000,000. Civilian deaths totaled 130 in these facility types.
For the full report, go to
http://www.nfpa.org/itemdetailjournal.asp?categoryID=2072&itemID=48407.
Next
Read next on FacilitiesNet