In New York, a fire can destroy decades of hard work in a matter of minutes. Firefighting efforts often lead to significant water damage, rendering personal property like clothing, furnishings, and electronics unsalvageable. Vital documents such as birth certificates and property deeds may also be lost or damaged, complicating recovery. Affected residents face challenges with insurance claims, property restoration, and replacing legal documents.
New York Fire Damage Statistics
Fires remain a persistent threat to property and public safety across New York. From densely populated cities to rural communities, fire incidents can lead to catastrophic loss, displacement, and extensive insurance claims.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, New York State reported 94 civilian fire deaths in 2022 and 3,614 total structure fires, reflecting the widespread impact of residential and commercial fire incidents statewide (Source: U.S. Fire Administration - NY State Fire Data).
The leading causes of fire across New York include:
- Electrical Fires: Faulty wiring and overloaded circuits are a frequent cause of structural fires. According to annual reports from the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC), electrical malfunctions consistently rank among the top fire origins.
- Cooking-Related Fires: Unattended cooking, grease ignition, and kitchen mishaps remain the number one cause of residential fires nationally and are also a top contributor within the state.
- Smoking Materials: Fires ignited by discarded cigarettes or other smoking items remain a significant risk, especially in multi-unit housing environments.
- Intentional or Incendiary Fires (Arson): The state also contends with deliberately set fires. In urban and rural areas alike, arson cases present a challenge to investigators and insurers.
While much of the public data is broken down by municipality, New York City maintains detailed fire statistics through the FDNY Bureau of Fire Investigation, which investigated 3,587 fire incidents in 2023 and reported 102 civilian fire-related deaths in the city alone.
Statewide patterns mirror these trends, with the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and OFPC identifying electrical failures, cooking mishaps, and arson as primary statewide contributors to fire loss.
