Every day Americans experience the horror of fire. But most people don't understand fire. Only when we know the true nature of fire can we prepare ourselves and our families. Each year more than 4,000 Americans die and approximately 20,000 are injured in fires, many of which could be prevented.

US Fire Administration

US Fire Statistics

The Overall Fire Picture - 2005

* There were 3,675 civilians that lost their lives as the result of fire.
* There were 17,925 civilian injuries that occurred as the result of fire.
* There were 115 firefighters killed while on duty.
* Fire killed more Americans than all natural disasters combined.
* 83 percent of all civilian fire deaths occurred in residences.
* 1.6 million fires were reported. Many others went unreported, causing additional injuries and property loss.
* Direct property loss due to fires was estimated at $10.7 billion.
* An estimated 31,500 intentionally set structure fires resulted in 315 civilian deaths.
* Intentionally set structure fires resulted in an estimated $664 million in property damage.

Source: National Fire Protection Association Fire Loss in the U.S. During 2005 and USFA's Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2005.