U.S. Commercial Building Fire Analysis
An Interactive Overview of Fire Incidents & Trends (2014-2023 Averages)
National Overview: Annual Averages
Civilian Deaths
~115
Civilian Injuries
~1,100
Direct Property Damage
$2.9B
Average Annual Fires by Structure Type
This section provides a detailed breakdown of fire incidents for specific commercial property types. Select a category below to explore its unique trends, primary causes, and overall impact. The data presented is based on averaged estimates from NFPA and other public reports over the last decade.
Multi-family Apartments & Condos
Avg. Annual Fires
95,000
Avg. Annual Deaths
85
Avg. Annual Injuries
850
Avg. Annual Damage
$1.9 Billion
Leading Causes of Fires
Cooking is the Primary Cause
Unattended cooking equipment is the leading cause of fires in apartments, accounting for over half of all incidents.
Heating is Deadliest
While causing fewer fires, heating equipment (like space heaters) is a leading cause of civilian deaths, often due to proximity to flammable materials.
Critical System Failures
High-profile incidents like the 2022 Bronx fire highlight how failures of safety systems, such as self-closing doors, can dramatically increase smoke spread and casualties.
Case Study: Twin Parks North West, Bronx, NY (2022)
A malfunctioning electric space heater ignited a fire that, due to a failed self-closing door, filled the 19-story building with toxic smoke. The incident resulted in 17 fatalities, primarily from smoke inhalation, underscoring the critical importance of functional safety features in high-rise residential buildings.