Arson Facts in America
  • An estimated 51,840 intentionally set structure fires occured during 2003-2006.
  • Intentionally set fires in structures resulted in 377 civilian deaths.
  • Intentionally set structure fires also resulted in $898,100,000 in property loss.
  • 5% of fires in homes are intentionally started and half of all intentional structure fires are started in the home.
PDFIntentional Fires Fact Sheet - PDF
PDFFire Loss Facts for 2008 - PDF

The following table shows the number of fires, deaths, and dollar loss due to intentionally set structure fires that occured from 1995 to 2006. Note: Arson injury data is not reported.

Arson Fire Statistics
Year Fires Deaths Loss in Mil
1995* 90,500 740 $1,647
1996 85,500 520 $1,405
1997 78,500 445 $1,309
1998 76,000 470 $1,249
1999 72,000 370 $1,281
2000 75,000 505 $1,340
2001** 45,500 330 $1,013
2001*** 45,500 2,451 $33,440
2002 44,500 350 $919
2003 37,500 305 $692
2004 36,500 320 $714
2005 31,500 315 $664
2006 31,000 305 $755

*Includes 168 civilian deaths that occured in the explosion and fire in the federal office building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995.

**Excludes the events of September 11, 2001

*** These estimates reflect the number of deaths, injuries, and dollar loss directly related to the events of September 11, 2001

Source: National Fire Protection Association Fire Loss in the U.S. During 2007 Abridged Report.

Last Modified: Friday, 05-Mar-2010 12:21:43 Eastern Standard Time