Fire fatality study

• Published in: Fire and materials 1979-12, Vol.3 (4), p.211-217
• Main Authors: Birky, M. M., Halpin, B. M., Caplan, Y. H., Fisher, R. S., McAllister, J. M., Dixon, A. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0308-0501; 1099-1018
• DOI: 10.1002/fam.810030406

Over a six‐year period, 530 fire fatalities resulting from 398 fires were studied in the State of Maryland. The study had two major objectives: (1) to determine the specific cause of death by a detailed autopsy stud of fire victims, and (2) to determine the specific cause of fatality‐producing fire by an on‐the‐scene fire investigation. The fire fatality study was limited to residential fires and to fatalities that occurred within 6 h of the fire. The results of the toxicological analysis show that (1) 60% of the victims had a carboxyhemoglobin value greater than or equal to 50% carbon monoxide saturation, (2) an additional 20% had elevated carboxyhemoglobin with preexisting cardiovascular disease, (3) 11% of the victims had severe burns, (4) 9% were unexplained and (5) 40% of the victims had positive blood alcohol levels with 30% of these meeting the legal definition of intoxication (blood alcohol ≥0.1%). The fire investigations confirmed that the predominant fatal scenario is the cigarette ignition of upholstered furniture or bedding. This scenario accounted for 47% of the fires and 44% of the victims. Alcohol also appears to be significant factor in this scenario.