In 2007-2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 5,690 structure fires in educational properties, annually. These fires caused an annual average of 85 civilian fire injuries and $92 million in direct property damage.
Facts & figures
- About three-quarters (71%) of the structure fires occurring in educational properties involve schools providing pre-school through high-school education.
- An estimated 4,060 structure fires involving pre-school through grade 12 buildings were reported per year in 2007-2011.
- Half of the fires in buildings that house preschool through grade 12 are intentionally set.
- Almost one-quarter (24%) of the structure fires in buildings that house pre-school through grade 12 were contained trash or rubbish fires.
Source: NFPA's "Educational Properties," report by Richard Campbell, September 2013.
Also see: Fact sheet on school fires. (PDF, 24 KB)