Common Causes of Massachusetts House Fires Might Surprise You

To experience a fire in your home must be among the most traumatic events one could experience. I couldn't imagine the sense of helplessness that must accompany watching the destruction of everything you own and being unable to stop it.

As a reporter, I have witnessed this heartbreaking anguish many times.

The number of fires overall is down in Massachusetts; however, fire-related deaths, after declining substantially, appear to have leveled off.

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The Massachusetts Department of Fire Safety says fires in general were down by 12 percent in 2023, (the most recent statistics) from the previous year.

The DFS reported 25,643 fires in 2023, accounting for 45 civilian deaths, 212 civilian injuries and $320.2 million in property damage. Of those fires, 606 were set by arsonists. There were no fire service deaths in 2023, though 405 fire service injuries were reported.

The DFS says structural and motor vehicle fires were each down by two percent in 2023. Thirty-seven civilian deaths occurred in structure fires while six civilians died in motor vehicle fires in 2023. There were no fire service deaths in either category.

The Commonwealth says, "Structure fires declined in 2023 after a slight increase in 2022. Yet remained below the 10-year average of 16,402."

The most common causes of residential structure fire deaths in 2023 in Massachusetts were: undetermined (44 percent), followed by electrical (19 percent), cooking and smoking (13 percent each), and by intentional, car into the house, heating, and propane explosion (each at three percent).

The 45 civilian fire fatalities in 2023 were the result of 38 fires. Twenty-eight were men, 15 were women and two were children. Twenty-six of the victims (58 percent) were age 65 or older.