USFA releases report on restaurant fires

Emmitsburg, MD – An estimated 5,900 restaurant fires occur every year, resulting in 75 injuries and $172 million in property losses, according to a report (.pdf file) issued April 12 by the U.S. Fire Administration.

Using data compiled between 2007 and 2009, the report found that 91 percent of fires in restaurants were small and confined, and cooking was the source of 59 percent.

Among larger, non-confined restaurant fires, electrical malfunction was the leading cause. Smoke alarms were present in 44 percent of non-confined fires, and extinguishment systems – mainly sprinklers – were present in 47 percent.