USFA releases report on nonresidential structure fires

In 2006, 111,500 nonresidential structure fires occurred in the United States, resulting in 85 deaths and 1,425 injuries, according to a recently released report (.pdf file) from the U.S. Fire Administration. Nonresidential structure fires were the costliest type of fire, resulting in $2.6 billion in direct loss, the agency said.

The highest number of fatalities occurred in storage area fires, where 26 percent of all deaths took place. Injuries most often occurred in fires that struck stores and office buildings. Cooking caused 26 percent of all nonresidential structure fires, followed by intentional fire setting.