NFPA Report Cited in Coverage of Church Fires

Some of the latest news stories covering recent fires in churches have quoted NFPA research. According to NFPA's 2013 report U.S. Structure Fires in Religious and Funeral Properties, local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 1,780 structure fires per year at churches, other places of worship or funeral parlors during the five-year period of 2007- 2011. Thirty percent of the fires in these properties were caused by cooking and another 16% by heating equipment. Sixteen percent or 280 of the 1,780 structure fires per year at these properties were intentional. NFPA’s Marty Ahrens says it is not surprising...