Vacant building fires

Report: NFPA's "Fires in Vacant Buildings"
Author: Marty Ahrens
Issued: April 2018

Report

Overview of vacant building fire problem including property types, secured vs. unsecured, causes, fire spread and when fires occur.

Download the report.

In 2011-2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 30,200 structure fires per year in vacant properties. These fires resulted in an average of 60 civilian deaths, 160 civilian injuries, and $710 million in direct property damage per year.
Half of vacant building fires were intentionally set compared to 10% of all structure fires.
Vacant building fires reached a high point in 2007 and 2008 and have declined since 2012.
An estimated average of 3,310 firefighters per year were injured at vacant building fires during 2011-2015.

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