U.S. Fire Administration
TOPICAL FIRE RESEARCH SERIES
Volume 2, Issue 7 August 2001 (Rev. March 2002)
Church Fires
FINDINGS An average of 1,300 church fires are reported each year, causing $38 million in property loss.
The leading cause of church fires is arson (25%). S 30% of church fires are the result of mechanical failures. Faulty wiring and improperly functioning heating systems are often at fault, perhaps because they are in older structures and have not been brought up to local fire codes. Of churches that reported fires, 65% had no smoke alarms and 96% had no sprinkler system.
“The leading cause of church fires is arson (25%). S 30% of church fires are the result of mechanical failures.”
At first glance that appears to be contradictory. If 30% result from mechanical failures how can arson at 25% be the leading cause?