Structure Fires in Eating and Drinking Establishments

Report: NFPA's "Structure Fires in Eating and Drinking Establishments"
Author: Richard Campbell
Issued: February 2017

Report and fact sheet

Each year, U.S. municipal fire departments respond to a substantial number of fires in eating and drinking establishments.

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Download the fact sheet, and print it out. Contains quick stats from the report.

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During 2010-2014, an estimated average of 7,410 structure fires in eating and drinking establishments were reported to U.S. fire departments per year.
These fires caused annual losses of three civilian deaths, 110 civilian injuries, and $165 million in direct property damage.
Cooking equipment is the leading cause of these fires (61% of incidents). Electrical distribution and lighting equipment and heating equipment each accounted for 9% of fires.
Cooking materials were the item first ignited in 43% of the fires in eating and drinking establishments.
Seven out of ten (68%) of fires in eating and drinking establishments stay relatively small and do not spread beyond the object of origin.

Structure Fires in Eating and Drinking Establishments by Major Cause: 2010-2014

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