| Fire Death Statistics for Calendar Year 2002 In Philadelphia, 32 people died in 26 fires. These 32 deaths represent the fewest number of fire deaths for any year in Philadelphia, for which we have data. An Analysis of Fire Deaths for Calendar Year 2002 Causes: Fires caused by open flame killed 10 people. This was the single highest cause of fire deaths in 2002. Further examination of these fires revealed that five stances involved smoking materials (such as a match or lighter), in three instances the open flame was a candle, and two involved the open flame from cooking equipment. Four fatal fire deaths were caused by careless smoking. When the four fatal fires caused by smoking are combined with the five open flame fires caused by a match or lighter used to light a cigarette, we see that careless smoking caused more fire deaths than any other activity during 2002. There was a marked decrease in fire deaths caused by electrical wiring over 2001’s figures (12 in 2001 compared to 5 in 2002). In 2002, 11 people aged 50+ died in fires, a dramatic decrease from the two previous years. Seven of these deaths involved careless smoking. Time Factors: An analysis of fire deaths by month of the year, day of the week, and time of day reveals that the colder months of the year were the deadliest as were the weekend and the hours when people are usually asleep. Most of 2002’s fire deaths (27) occurred in a one or two family residential occupancy. Race and Gender: An analysis of fire deaths by race and gender reveals that most fire deaths occurred among African American males (9). African American female and Hispanic female deaths numbered 6 in each category. However, African American deaths declined by over 50% from 2001’s figures, but there was a sharp increase in Hispanic fire deaths (this is largely the result of three incendiary fires that resulted in six deaths). Age: In 2002, there were seven fire death victims aged 55 and over, a dramatic decrease from the 26 older adult fire deaths in 2001 and the 28 deaths in 2000. There were also seven fire deaths among people aged 30-49 and nine fire deaths among children aged 0-19. Smoke Alarm Performance: Twenty-two of the 32 people that died in fires in 2002 were not protected by a functioning smoke alarm. Several fire deaths occurred in uninhabitable structures. Of the 22 fatal fires that occurred in an inhabitable residence, 82% did not have a functioning smoke alarm. There were four fires that caused seven deaths where the smoke alarm was present and activated, yet the occupants failed to escape (four due to age, infirmity, or incapacitation; and three due to the primary exit path being blocked by the fire). Of Interest: Between 1997 – 2001, the Philadelphia Fire Department averaged five deaths per year caused by children with matches. During this period of time, the Department provided Fire Stopper programs to approximately 1,000 families. In 2002, there were no deaths caused by children with matches. The Medical Examiner’s Office provided toxicology reports for 16 fire victims. Five victims were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the fire. The Fire Marshal’s Office provided anecdotal information that two other victims were under the influence. It is believed that 22% of all fire death victims were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the fire. NUMBER OF FIRE DEATHS 1991-2000
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