HOME FIRES
New York
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
December, 6:51 p.m., 13 (two were under age 6)
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a five-story, 2,400-square-foot (223-square-meter) apartment building of unprotected ordinary construction, with 26 units. The building was occupied by over 40 people at the time of the fire.
Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices
There were smoke alarms present but the coverage and operation were not reported. There was no automatic suppression equipment present.
Fire Origin and Path
The fire broke out in a first-floor kitchen where a child was playing with a stove. The fire spread throughout the first-floor apartment. Heavy smoke spread through the building due to an open door into the fire apartment, and open stairwells. The fire spread upward in voids in the walls.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
When the child and mother fled the apartment, the apartment door remained open, either unintentionally or because a self-closer did not operate. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and a frozen hydrant, which hampered their ability to obtain an early water supply. Also, the many people on balconies and escaping down stairways hampered firefighters in reaching the fire. Numerous searches located victims throughout the building in various locations. Three civilians and 18 firefighters were also injured.
Ohio
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
May, 3 a.m., 7 (3 were under age 6)
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a two-story, 480-square-foot (45-square-meter) single-family home of unprotected, wood-frame construction, and was occupied.
Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices
No information on smoke detection or suppression equipment was reported.
Fire Origin and Path
An incendiary fire was set in ordinary combustibles in a rubbish can on the front porch.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
The fire spread to the siding on the porch and up to the second story, blocking the front entry for those trying to escape. All seven victims were on the second floor.
Maryland
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
January 12, 12:31 a.m., 6 (4 were under age 6)
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a three-story, 1,994-square-foot (185-square-meter) single-family home of unprotected wood-frame construction. The home was occupied by 10 people at the time.
Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices
There were smoke alarms present, but their coverage and operation were not reported. No information was reported on automatic suppression equipment.
Fire Origin and Path
Due to the heavy damage, the cause and origin of the fire is listed as undetermined. The fire spread throughout the first story and extended to the second story and attic by way of open stairways. There was a partial collapse of the roof, attic, and second-floor walls.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
No information was reported on victim locations. The open stairway provided a means for the fire to spread to the upper floors. Four civilians were also injured.
Oregon
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
March, 12:20 a.m., 6 (one was under age 6)
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a one-story, 1,624-square-foot (151-square-meter) single-family home of unprotected wood-frame construction.
Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices
There were smoke alarms present that activated and alerted the occupants. There was no automatic suppression equipment present.
Fire Origin and Path
The fire broke out in the living room when a portable electric heater was left on after the family went to bed. During the night, nearby paper products ignited and the blaze spread throughout the home.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
The victims were trapped in a bedroom when the fire blocked their exit. Upon arrival firefighters found the home well-involved and an adult outside reported the children were still inside. The survivor was treated for burns and smoke inhalation.
Texas
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
October, 12:19 a.m., 6 (three were under age 6)
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a one-story, 1,000-square-foot (93-square-meter) single-family home of unprotected wood–frame construction, occupied by a family of six.
Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices
There was no detection or automatic suppression equipment present.
Fire Origin and Path
The cause and origin of this fire were listed as undetermined.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
The home was fully involved upon arrival of firefighters.
Illinois
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
November 21, 12:01 a.m., 6
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a two-story, 2,000-square-foot (186-square-meter) single-family home of unprotected wood-frame construction, occupied by a family of six.
Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices
There were smoke alarms present, but their coverage and operation were not reported. There was no automatic suppression equipment present.
Fire Origin and Path
The cause and origin of this fire were listed as undetermined.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
The home was fully involved when the fire department arrived. The victims were located in various locations throughout the home.
Massachusetts
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
March, 12:45 a.m., 5
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a two-story, 1,177-square-foot (109-square-meter) single-family home of unprotected wood-frame construction that was occupied by two children and five adults.
Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices
There were smoke alarms present but they had been disconnected. There was no automatic suppression equipment present.
Fire Origin and Path
This fire began when radiant heat from a wood-burning stove ignited firewood stacked next to it.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
An adult male awoke smelling smoke and went downstairs to find the wood burning stove and wood pile on fire. He called out to family members as it was too hot and smoky to go upstairs. One child came down the stairs and the two escaped. The five victims were believed to be located together in a second-floor bedroom, trapped above the fire. The father and daughter who escaped were treated for injuries, and one firefighter was also injured.
Michigan
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
March, 1:35 p.m., 5
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a two-story, nine-unit apartment building of unprotected ordinary construction. The floor area was not reported. All apartments were occupied.
Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices
No information on detection or suppression equipment was reported.
Fire Origin and Path
An occupant set fire to a loveseat in the living room of a second-floor apartment and then dragged it out into the hallway and tried to push it down a rear stairwell. It was a windy day, and the “chimney effect” in the stairwell caused the item to become fully engulfed and the occupant abandoned it. The fire spread to the stairwell and second floor walls and into apartments then into the attic.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
The victims were located in apartments on the second floor. With the stairwell blocked by the burning loveseat, they were unable to escape. Four other occupants were also injured.
South Dakota
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
April, 4:23 a.m., 5
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a two-story, 1,600-square-foot (149-square-meter), three-family apartment building of unprotected wood-frame construction. It was occupied at the time of the fire.
Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices
There were smoke alarms in the building. Their coverage and activation was not reported. There was no automatic suppression equipment present.
Fire Origin and Path
A fire of undetermined cause broke out on a porch outside the front door. The fire extended into and throughout the structure.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
Firefighters went to a defensive attack due to the heavy fire involvement of the home. Six civilians were also injured.
Tennessee
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
April, 11:50 p.m., 5 (2 under age 6)
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a one-story, 1,920-square-foot (178-square-meter) manufactured home of unprotected wood-frame construction.
Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices
There was no automatic detection or suppression equipment present.
Fire Origin and Path
The fire broke out in the living room when embers from a wood stove pipe ignited wood structural components. Fire then spread throughout the structure.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
A rusted stove pipe extended to a makeshift chimney through a hole cut in the exterior wall of the home. The home was constructed using two single-wide manufactured homes placed together with one wall on each removed. A child escaped the fire and tried to wake the family by calling out and throwing stones at the windows. Her younger sister called out from just inside the door and she stepped inside and assisted her out. The children then ran to their grandmother’s home a short distance away for help. The victims were found at three areas in the home, two adults in a bedroom, two children in another bedroom and a child in a hallway. The two children who escaped were injured.
New York
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
April, 2:36 p.m., 5 (one was under age 6)
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a two-and-a-half-story, 800-square-foot (75-square-meter) single-family home of unprotected wood-frame construction.
Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices
No information was reported on smoke detection or suppression equipment.
Fire Origin and Path
The fire broke out in a front bedroom on the first floor. The cause is listed as undetermined.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
The home was occupied by eight people at the time of the fire.
Ohio
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
October, 3:46 a.m., 5
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a two-story, 1,520-square-foot (141-square-meter) single-family home of unprotected wood-frame construction. The home was occupied.
Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices
It was not determined if smoke detection equipment was present. There was no automatic suppression equipment present.
Fire Origin and Path
The only information reported at this time is the fire broke out in a first-floor dining room. The cause is undetermined and under investigation.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
No addition information was reported.
Alaska
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
September, 5:30 a.m., 5 (1 was under age 6)
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a one-story, single-family manufactured home of unprotected wood-frame construction. No additional information was reported.
Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices
No information was reported.
Fire Origin and Path
No information was reported.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
No information was reported.
Iowa
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
December, 9:34 p.m., 5 (4 were under age 6)
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a one-story, 420-square-foot (39-square-meter) single-family manufactured home of unprotected wood-frame construction, occupied by five people.
Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices
There were no smoke detectors or automatic suppression equipment present.
Fire Origin and Path
The fire of undetermined origin broke out in the living room.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
The five victims were located in a rear bedroom.
NON-HOME FIRES
Wisconsin
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
May, 11:03 p.m., 5
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type, Operating Status
This facility for dry corn milling consisted of multiple structures of unprotected ordinary construction of various heights and areas. The plant was operating at partial capacity with 19 employees on site at the time.
Detection Systems and Suppression Systems
No information on automatic detection or suppression equipment was reported.
Fire Origin and Path
Workers smelled smoke, possibly from a burning belt or bearing, and searched for a short time before focusing on a particular piece of grinding equipment. At the same time, an air filter blew off an air intake line in the mill, resulting in a release of corn dust and flames into the air. The dust ignited and multiple explosions resulted.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
Of the nine buildings at the facility, four collapsed and five had severe structural damage (with one unsafe to enter). Fourteen workers were also injured in the explosions. The CSB investigation is currently ongoing. More information is available at csb.gov.
Maryland
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
March, 2 a.m., 4
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type, Operating Status
This was a two-story, 2,580-square-foot (240-square-meter) assisted living facility of unprotected wood-frame construction. At the time of the fire, one employee and six full-time adult residents were in the facility.
Detection Systems and Suppression Systems
There were smoke alarms in the building. Their coverage was not reported but they did operate and alerted the occupants. There was also a wet-pipe residential sprinkler system that operated and controlled the fire.
Fire Origin and Path
The fire began outside when an improperly discarded cigarette ignited leaves and grass. The fire spread to the facility’s exterior wall and porch, and into the building.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
Although the alarms and sprinkler system operated, the fire had an advanced start outside and spread into the structure and into the ceiling void, delaying the activation of the systems. The residents required assistance to evacuate, and were exposed to smoke and products of combustion for a prolonged period of time. Three civilians were also injured.
Pennsylvania
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
November, 11 p.m., 4
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type, Operating Status
This was a nursing/assisted living home.
Detection Systems and Suppression Systems
No information was available. The incident is still under investigation.
Fire Origin and Path
No information was available. The incident is still under investigation.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
No information was available. The incident is under investigation. Twenty residents were injured.
Louisiana
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
February, 11:05 a.m., 3
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type, Operating Status
This was a paper mill containing structures of various types of construction and height. The property was undergoing its annual maintenance shutdown, but contract workers were at the plant.
Detection Systems and Suppression Systems
There was automatic detection equipment present. The type and coverage were not reported but the system operated. There was suppression equipment but the system did not operate as there was no fire following an explosion.
Fire Origin and Path
An explosion occurred at a “foul condensate” tank, part of a non-condensable gas system outside the structure. Contractors were doing welding repairs in piping above the tank, which contained an explosive air/turpentine vapor mix. There was no fire following the explosion.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
According to the CSB investigation report, the tank likely contained water, liquid turpentine, and explosive vapor space, with a mixture of air and turpentine vapor. The victims died due to traumatic injuries caused by the explosion. The blast blew the tank off its base, launching it over a six-story building before landing nearly 375 feet (114 meters) away. Seven others workers were also injured. More information is available online.
Texas
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
March, 12:03 a.m., 3
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type, Operating Status
This one-story structure of unprotected ordinary construction covered 11,250 square feet, (1,045 square meters) and was being used as a 20-unit homeless shelter. The shelter was operating at the time of the fire.
Detection Systems and Suppression Systems
Neither detection nor automatic suppression equipment was present.
Fire Origin and Path
The cause and origin were listed as undetermined.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
No information was reported.
NON-STRUCTURAL FIRES
California
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
October, multiple wildland fire ignitions, 44
Setting
Wildfire
Climate
Red Flag warning, hot, temperatures in the 90s F (30s C), humidity near 14 percent, windy.
Fire Origin and Path
Various causes, many of which were electrical in nature, as wires, poles, and tree limbs were downed by high winds.
Factors Hindering Occupant Escape
Cal Fire refers to this as the 2017 October Fire Siege. This incident encompassed 21 large fires that burned 245,000 acres (99,147 hectares), destroyed 8,887 structures, damaged 731 structures, and injured 195 firefighters and civilians.
Texas
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
March, 3:57 p.m., 3
Setting
Open area, grass, and brush.
Climate
Clear, 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), 10 percent relative humidity, winds at 30 mph (48 kph) with gusts to 55 mph (89 kph).
Fire Origin and Path
Electric lines came in contact with each other, causing an arc, resulting in molten metal landing on grass and brush. The fire was spread by very high winds, eventually burning 135,000 acres (54,632 hectares).
Factors Hindering Occupant Escape
The three victims were attempting to herd cattle from the path of the fire when they were overrun.