Catastrophic Multiple-Death Fires and Explosions by Type in 2019
New York City
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
May, 1:30 a.m., 6 deaths (1 under age 6).
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a seven-story apartment building of unprotected ordinary construction. The floor size was not reported. The apartment contained six rooms.
Smoke Alarm and Other
Protection Devices
There were smoke alarms present but no information was reported on coverage or operation. There was no information reported on automatic suppression equipment.
Fire Origin and Path
The fire broke out in a fifth-floor apartment in the kitchen. The cause was undetermined.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
No information on the victims’ locations was reported. In addition, three civilians in the building were injured.
Wisconsin
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
June, 6:20 a.m., 6 deaths (3 under age six).
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a single-family home.
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.
Nevada
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
December, 4:13 a.m., 6 deaths.
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a three-story apartment building of unprotected ordinary construction. The floor size was not reported.
Smoke Alarm and Other
Protection Devices
There was a smoke alarm and manual pull stations system present and residents reported that the manual alarm was pulled but did not operate. Fire officials reported there was no sprinkler system present.
Fire Origin and Path
Fire officials quoted by the media reported the fire began in a first-floor apartment kitchen and involved a stove used for heat.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
Five of the victims were found inside the structure and one victim who jumped was located outside on the sidewalk. The height from which this person jumped and the location of the victims inside was not reported. In addition, 13 occupants of the building were injured.
New York
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
February, 1:32 a.m., 5 deaths (1 under age 6).
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a two-and-a-half-story, unprotected wood-frame single-family home covering 625 square feet (58 square meters) that was occupied by six people.
Smoke Alarm and Other
Protection Devices
There were three smoke alarms present. They did not operate as the batteries had been removed. There was no automatic suppression system present.
Fire Origin and Path
An occupant had been cooking chicken wings in the first-floor kitchen but did not turn off the burner when they left. The fire was contained to the kitchen area, but heat and smoke spread upstairs.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
There was a delay in reporting the fire as one occupant escaped and ran to a neighbor’s home to call 911.
Illinois
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
April, 11:19 p.m., 5 deaths (3 under age 6).
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a 980-square-foot (91-square-meter) single-family manufactured home of unprotected wood-frame construction.
Smoke Alarm and Other
Protection Devices
There was no detection equipment or automatic suppression equipment present.
Fire Origin and Path
The fire started in the living-room. Due to the ongoing investigation and court case, no other information could be reported.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
None reported.
Minnesota
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
November, 3:56 a.m., 5 deaths.
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a 25-story, 191-unit, fire-resistive apartment building. The floor area was not reported.
Smoke Alarm and Other
Protection Devices
There were smoke alarms present. The coverage and operation were not reported. No information on automatic suppression equipment was reported.
Fire Origin and Path
The fire began in a bedroom in an apartment on the 14th floor. The cause was listed as undetermined.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
The fire spread throughout the apartment with some spread to the hallway. Smoke spread from the 14th floor to the 25th floor. No information was reported on the victims’ locations. In addition, four civilians and one firefighter were injured.
Alabama
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
December, 9 a.m., 5 (3 under age 6).
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type,
Construction Type
This was a one-story manufactured home of unprotected wood-frame construction.
Smoke Alarm and Other
Protection Devices
No information was reported due to the ongoing investigation.
Fire Origin and Path
No information was reported due to the ongoing investigation.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
No information was reported due to the ongoing investigation.
Pennsylvania
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
August, 6:30 a.m., 5 deaths (4 under age 6).
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type,
Construction Type, Operating Status
This was a two-and-a-half-story, single-family home that was being used as a 24-hour day care facility. It had a ground floor area of 876 square feet (81.4 square meters) and was of unprotected, wood-frame construction.
Detection Systems and
Suppression Systems
There was detection equipment in the attic only. It was not reported if the system operated. There was no automatic suppression equipment present.
Fire Origin and Path
The fire was caused by a damaged extension cord that shorted and ignited a sofa in a first-floor living room. The fire spread throughout the first floor and porch area and partially up the stairway.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
It was not reported if the children were residents of the home or staying overnight. No information was reported on the victims’ locations. One adult was injured.
Illinois
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
May, 9:30 p.m., 4 deaths.
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type,
Construction Type, Operating Status
This was a one-story, 30,000-square-foot (2,787-square-meter) silicone manufacturing plant that was operating at the time of the explosion and ensuing fire.
Detection Systems and
Suppression Systems
There was an alarm system present that did not operate due to damage caused by the explosion. The coverage of the detection system was not reported. There was a complete coverage wet pipe sprinkler system present. However, it also did not operate due to damage caused by the explosion.
Fire Origin and Path
This explosion occurred after a chemical mixing process overflowed and caused an explosive atmosphere. The ignition source and materials involved were undetermined and the incident is still under investigation.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
No additional information was reported.
Maryland
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
May, 2:30 a.m., 4 deaths.
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type,
Construction Type, Operating Status
This was an unlicensed boarding home housed in a two-story townhouse. The building was of unprotected wood-frame construction and was occupied by nine people at the time of the fire. The ground-floor area was not reported.
Detection Systems and
Suppression Systems
No information was reported due to ongoing litigation.
Fire Origin and Path
The fire was set in a second floor living room by a tenant.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
There was no information reported on the victims’ locations. There were also two civilian injuries.
Virginia
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
May, 9:50 a.m., 4 deaths.
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type,
Construction Type, Operating Status
This was a one-story gas station and market (with coffee shop).
Detection Systems and
Suppression Systems
No details were reported.
Fire Origin and Path
No details were reported.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
There was no information reported on the victims‘ locations. There were also three civilian injuries.
Ohio
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
June, 7:22 a.m., 3 deaths.
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type,
Construction Type, Operating Status
This was a barn of unprotected wood-frame construction. The floor size was not reported. The barn was occupied by four children aged 12 to 15.
Detection Systems and
Suppression Systems
No details were reported.
Fire Origin and Path
No details were reported.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
One youth escaped but was injured.
Wisconsin
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
September, 6 a.m., 3 deaths.
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type,
Construction Type, Operating Status
This was a four-unit halfway house housed in a two-story single-family home. The building was of unprotected wood-frame construction and covered 1,200 square feet (111.5 square meters).
Detection Systems and
Suppression Systems
There was one detector located in the basement that operated. The type was not reported. There was no automatic suppression equipment present.
Fire Origin and Path
This fire started on an enclosed porch when improperly discarded smoking materials ignited a chair. There was no information reported on the fire spread.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
The victims were reported to be asleep at the time. Their locations were not reported.
Texas
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
October, 7:15 p.m., 3 deaths.
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type,
Construction Type, Operating Status
This was a ‘Doomsday’ underground bunker/shelter constructed of concrete-reinforced steel plate.
Detection Systems and
Suppression Systems
There was no detection or automatic suppression equipment present.
Fire Origin and Path
Cause and origin were undetermined.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
An explosion had occurred approximately 18 hours prior to the discovery. The wife of one victim went to the location when she was unable to contact her husband, found the damaged bunker, and notified authorities. There was propane present, but it was not determined if this was related to the cause.
Kentucky
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
October, 10:45 p.m., 3 deaths.
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type,
Construction Type, Operating Status
This was a two-story barn of unprotected wood-frame construction.
Detection Systems and
Suppression Systems
No details were reported.
Fire Origin and Path
No details were reported.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
There was hay stored on the ground level and a storage and living space on the second floor.
New York
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
November, 11:53 p.m., 3 deaths.
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type,
Construction Type, Operating Status
This was a one-and-a-half-story unprotected wood-frame home, occupied by three squatters.
Detection Systems and
Suppression Systems
No details were reported.
Fire Origin and Path
No details were reported.
Contributing Factors and Victim Locations
This empty home was boarded up, but squatters were entering the property for shelter. There was no information reported on the victims’ locations. One firefighter was injured.
California
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
September, 3:14 a.m., 34 deaths.
Setting
This was a 75-foot (23-meter) wood and fiberglass commercial dive boat anchored for the night off Santa Cruz Island. There were 33 passengers and six crew members on board when the fire broke out.
Climate
Temperature of the air and water was about 65° F (18° C), with patchy fog and 2- to 3-foot (0.6 – 0.9 meter) seas.
Fire Origin and Path
The cause and origin are undetermined and under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and US Coast Guard.
Factors Hindering
Occupant Escape
A crew member woke hearing the noise of the fire and woke other crew members. The captain radioed a distress message, and others attempted to rescue the sleeping passengers in the bunkroom. Fire at the entrance to the bunkroom made it impossible to reach by either ladder or emergency escape hatch, and the passengers were trapped. The boat burned to the waterline. All passengers and one crew member were killed. In addition, there was one crew member injured. The NTSB preliminary report can be found at ntsb.gov/investigations.
Connecticut
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
October, 9:53 a.m., 7 deaths.
Setting
A B-17G World War II-era bomber, refurbished and used to fly passengers on sightseeing flights, crashed and caught fire while attempting to land at an airport.
Detection and Suppression
No information was reported.
Climate
Clear calm day, few clouds, temperature 73°F (23°C).
Fire Origin and Path
According to the NTSB preliminary report, the pilot reported the loss of one engine and was attempting an emergency landing when the plane crashed. A post-crash fire broke out.
Factors Hindering
Occupant Escape
Eleven passengers and a crew of three were on board. Two crew members and five passengers were killed. All the others, as well as one person on the ground, were injured. The NTSB preliminary report can be found at app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/ReportGeneratorFile
California
Date, Time of Alarm,
Number of Deaths
February, 1:48 p.m., 5 deaths.
Setting
This was a twin-engine Cessna aircraft that caught fire and broke up while in flight and crashed into a single-family home. Debris from the aircraft was scattered throughout a residential neighborhood.
Detection and Suppression
No information on smoke alarms or automatic suppression equipment on the aircraft was reported.
Climate
In the area of the crash, skies had been overcast, with microbursts and rain showers, winds 7 mph (6 knots), and temperature of 59°F (15°).
Fire Origin and Path
An NTSB preliminary report reported there was a fire and explosion in flight. The cause of the fire and explosion have not yet been reported.
Factors Hindering
Occupant Escape
The plane crashed into a two-and-a-half-story single-family home in which six people were located. The fire broke out immediately. Debris and fire from the house damaged other homes and vehicles. Four victims were located on the first floor of the home. The pilot, the only person aboard the aircraft, was found in the damaged aircraft in the yard. Two other occupants of the house escaped with burn injuries. The NTSB preliminary report can be found at app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/ReportGeneratorFile.