The North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has released its annual report on fire fatalities for 2024, revealing concerning trends and stressing the need for fire safety measures.
As of January 2025, 14 fire fatalities have already been reported in North Carolina.
“This early start to the year’s statistics underscores the urgent need for vigilance and proactive fire safety practices,” said OSFM in a news release on Tuesday.
In 2024, there were 122 fire-related deaths across the state, involving 107 fatal fires, including five vehicle fires. Fire fatalities occurred in 59 of North Carolina’s 100 counties, highlighting the widespread impact of this public safety issue, said OSFM.
Moore County reported two fire deaths in 2024. The county’s five-year total is 10 deaths. The five-year average rate per 100,000 people is 1.9.
Key findings from the report:
Deadliest Months:
*December through April saw the highest number of fire fatalities.
Time of Day:
*Most fire fatalities occur at night, between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Causes of the 122 fire fatalities:
*67 were determined to be accidental.
*7 were determined to be incendiary.
*48 were of undetermined cause.
Smoke Alarms:
*54 homes where fatalities occurred lacked working smoke alarms.
Demographics:
*75 males and 47 females were among the victims.
*The average age of those who died was over 65, indicating that older adults are particularly at risk.
“These statistics are a sobering reminder of the importance of fire prevention and safety measures,” said Brian Taylor, NC State Fire Marshal. “Simple actions, such as ensuring working smoke alarms and practicing fire escape plans, will save lives.”
The NC OSFM urges residents to:
*Install and regularly test smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of the home.
*Practice home fire drills to ensure everyone knows two ways out of every room.
*Remain vigilant about fire safety, especially during the winter when heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires.
View the 2024 North Carolina Civilian Fire Fatality Report
File photo by Melissa Schaub/Sandhills Sentinel.
