The purpose of this document is to collect in a summarized way the main results of fire statistics recently published by different entities, both national and international level. Furthermore, an objective analysis of these results is performed and the most obvious conclusions are showed.

1. FIRE STATISTICS IN SPAIN
Antonio Galán Penalva
Fire safety consultant
agalansci@gmail.com
September 2018

2. Fire statistics
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1. Aim and previous considerations …………………………………………………………………………… 2
2. Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
3. Fire Statistics in Spain .…………………………………………………………………………………………... 3
4. Comparison fire statistics data of Spain and Europe …………………………………..………….. 12
5. Comparison fire statistics data of Spain and Europe, with the rest of the world ……… 14
6. Conclusions .………………………………….………………………………………………………………………. 18
7. Bibliography ..………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 19
8. Information concerning to the author ……………………………………………………………………. 19
9. Disclamer …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20

3. Fire statistics
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The purpose of this document is to collect in a summarized way the main results of fire
statistics recently published by different entities, both national and international level.
Furthermore, an objective analysis of these results is performed and the most obvious
conclusions are showed.
In order to have a better understanding of the data that are displayed in the following sections
(Fire Statistics in Spain), previously it is important to take into account the following
considerations that are showed in the Study of Victims of Fire in Spain 2016 (APTB and Mapfre
Foundation):
- They have been recorded as killed in fire or explosion to all those who have died in the
fire place.
- They have also had this same consideration as those to which the study authors were
able to track and died after being hospitalized as a direct result of the incident
occurred.
- They have not taken into account those injured or killed in fire and/or explosion in
vehicles when the cause of death was the accident itself.
- They have not taken into account the victims of explosions of fireworks intentionally
manipulated in popular celebrations, or victims of voluntary exposure to fire,
firecrackers, etc.
- They not considered as fire victims the deaths that have been classified as suicides by
explosions, through the use of fire or of any other type of combustion.
- Finally, they have not been considered victims of the fire caused by intentioned fire or
explosions for the purpose of committing a murder or hide a violent death.
This document is only informative and compiles the information in the studies indicated in the
bibliography.
1. Aim and previous considerations

4. Fire statistics
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The fire statistics are very helpful data in the field of fire safety because in addition to
presenting data on what happens in fires and their consequences, from their analysis we can
design strategies and measures so that victims caused by fire as low as possible and improve
safety globally specially in buildings.
Nowadays there is no global harmonization and therefore it is difficult to make a reliable
comparison of the data of each of the countries, however it is possible to observe trends,
mainly of the data at the national level from several years of observation. For this reason and
given the great importance of fire statistics, at this moment it is working at a European level to
try to develop a common system in order to get a better knowledge of fires and their
circumstances. Obviously, this action will help to implement measures of success that they
have led to the reduction of victims in other countries.
In the first place, it is advisable to have an overview of accident rates in Spain in order to know
the place occupied by fires in relation to other types of causes of accidents. Thanks to the work
developed by the Mapfre Foundation, this information has taken shape in the Atlas of Accident
in Spain in the period from 2011 to 2015 published in March 2018. From the reading of its
pages it can be discovered among many other data of interest, a comparison on the victims
from fires against those that occur as for example in traffic accidents, falls, drowning, etc.
Figure 1. Main causes of death in Spain in the period between 2011 and 2015. Graph
prepared by Antonio Galán with data taken from the Atlas of accidents in Spain (2011-
2015)
3. Fire Statistics in Spain
2. Introduction

5. Fire statistics
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Además, el Atlas desglosa los datos de víctimas por cada año cada una de las causas.
Seguidamente se muestra los datos asociados únicamente a los incendios.
In addition, the Atlas breaks down the data of victims for each year for the listed causes.
Following it is showed the data associated only with fires
Figure 2. Number of death as a result of fires. Graph prepared by Antonio Galán with data taken
from the Atlas of accidents in Spain (2011-2015)(*)
From the data shown above, the cause of fires between the years 2011 and 2015 reached 826
victims and represents the 1,6%. These numbers are far from other causes such as traffic
accidents, falls and drownings and obstructions of the respiratory tract. If we focus on the
annual victims, we can see that the percentage is between 1.40% and 1.74%, low and relatively
constant percentages compared to the data shown by other causes of death.
(*) The possible differences that may exist between the data shown may be due to the fact that the data included in
the publications used in this report (cited in the bibliography) have considered in different ways the data associated
with the fires. Despite this fact, the data are conclusive and do not present significant differences
Going deeper into the statistical data on fires, for Spain, we can use as reference "Study of Fire
Victims in Spain 2016" published by the Mapfre Foundation and APTB in November 2017.
Below, the most relevant results are displayed.
Figure 3. Fires fatalities evolution in Spain. Graph prepared by Antonio Galán with data taken
from the study of Mapfre Foundation and APTB.

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As it is shown in Figure 3, the number of fatalities in fires decreased each year since 1980 up to
2013. From this year there is no clear trend and in 2016 the fire deaths increased. A reduction
of 50% is observed from the 1980 when the fire deaths was 351 meanwhile in 2016 was 175.
Moreover, during the last 36 years the population is Spain increased, so the best wat to
compare the data is to associate them to the population.
Figure 4. Fires fatalities evolution in Spain per million inhabitants. Graph prepared by Antonio Galán
with data taken from the study of Mapfre Foundation and APTB.
If we compare data, the fire deaths reduction has been remarkable despite the fact that in
2016 the reduction trend has been broken. This graph reflects that from 2013 there is no a
clear trend and that in 2016 the fire deaths increased. For this reason, it is necessary to
implement measures to come back a reduction trend.
Below it is showed the data concerning age groups for fire deaths.
Figure 5. Fire deaths by age and sex in 2016. (Source: Mapfre Foundation and APTB).

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Figure 6. Fire deaths by age in percentage in 2016.
(Source: Mapfre Foundation and APTB).
The groups of people with greater risk are the older people, especially from 65 years old. In this group of
people, many live alone and may also have limitations in their mobility so they will be at risk in case of
fire. In addition, and as highlighted by the APTB and the Mapfre Foundation, there has been an increase
in fatalities in men in the range between 50 and 54 years old.
To understand better the situation of Spain, the report has included a graph where it is possible to know
Fire deaths index (per million of inhabitants) depending on age.
Figure 7. Fire deaths index in 2016 per million of inhabitants depending on age groups.
(Source: Mapfre Foundation and APTB).

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With respect to the time of year, Figure 8 shows the variation throughout the months of the
year.
Figure 8. Fire deaths per months in 2016. Graph prepared by Antonio Galán with
data taken from the study of Mapfre Foundation and APTB.
It observed as in previous years, the months corresponding with the autumn and winter have a
higher number of fatalities. There is a strong relationship between the temperatures and the
fire deaths, in fact the APTB and Mapfre Foundation’ study highlight that in February, the
worst month in 2016 concerning the fire deaths, Spain was under the effect of winds came
from the north pole.
The APTB and the Mapfre Foundation’ study shows a segmentation of the victims by the place
where the fire took place. In the first place it differentiates victims caused in the exterior or in
the interior of the buildings. The exterior of the buildings is considered the countryside and the
vehicles and in the year 2016, this number amounted to 19 victims. Therefore, the number of
victims produced inside the buildings amounted to 153. The distribution according to the type
of building is shown below.
Figure 9. Fire deaths depending on the type of the building in 2016. Graph prepared by Antonio Galán
with data taken from the study of Mapfre Foundation and APTB.

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It is appreciated that most of the deaths in fires occur in homes. In 2016, the percentage is
86,9 % of the fire deaths in buildings. Takin into account the data from 2015, there is an
increase of 17,7%.
Figure 10. Probable cause of death in 2016. Graph prepared by Antonio Galán with data taken
from the study of Mapfre Foundation and APTB
With regard to the likely cause of death, 2 of 3 victims are due to inhalation of smokes in fires,
64,9 %. The second cause is the burns with 32,16 %.
The study is able to show the probable cause of the fire with victims.
Figure 11. Cause of fire with victims in 2016. Graph prepared by Antonio Galán with data
taken from the study of Mapfre Foundation and APTB.
The percentage of the fire deaths as consequence of the heat producers was 41,8% being
again the main cause of fire deaths.

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Concerning the fire in dwellings, the fire deaths evolution is shown following.
Figure 12. Evolution of the number of fatalities in homes. Graph prepared by Antonio Galán with data
taken from the study of Mapfre Foundation and APTB.
In 2016, the fire deaths in dwellings was 133. This number represents the 76% of the total
victims counted in 2016. It is observed an increase in 2016 respect to 2015. Obviously, this is
not a good result. However and in comparison with other countries, it can be said that Spain is
one of the safest countries of the world.
The victims affect more to the elderly people, mainly from 70 years old. From this point, the
fire victims are increased progressively.
Figure 13. Fire deaths index in 2016 per million of inhabitants depending on age groups in
buildings. (Source: Mapfre Foundation and APTB).
With respect to the period of the year, the figure 14 shows the same pattern that it shows in
the figure 8. The months included in the winter are the worst in terms of fire deaths.
Moreover, in 2016 the fire deaths in November was relevant.

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Figure 14. Fire deaths per months in 2016 in dwellings. Graph prepared by
Antonio Galán with data taken from the study of Mapfre Foundation and APTB.
The study of APTB and Mapfre Foundation have also analysed the fire deaths taking as
reference the storeys height of the building.
Figure 15. Number of deaths depending on the storey. Graph prepared by
Antonio Galán with data taken from the study of Mapfre Foundation and APTB.
In Spain, there are many buildings with low height, but there are more and more high-rise
buildings not only for offices, but also for residential use.

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The place where the fire occurs has been recorded by the study and the results are shown
below:
Figure 16. Number of deaths depending on the origin of the fire. Graph prepared by
Antonio Galán with data taken from the study of Mapfre Foundation and APTB
The study points out to the bedroom, living room and kitchen as places where more fires have
started. This information is very useful because it indicates where the installation of smoke
detectors would be most effective.
The heat producers, the habits of the smokers and electric reasons are main causes of the fire
in dwellings.
Figure 16. Number of deaths depending on the origin of the fire. Graph prepared by
Antonio Galán with data taken from the study of Mapfre Foundation and APTB.
In summary, the fire statistics publishes by APTB and Mapfre Foundation provide a clear
information about the number of fire deaths as well as the circumstances involved in the fires.
Without a doubt, this study must be taken into account to implement measures to reduce the
fire deaths.

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This section will be shown the situation of Spain with respect to other European countries, and
its relationship to the number of deaths in fires. The analysis is divided into two parts.
 The period included between 1979 and 2007
 The period included between 2008 and 2010
- The period included between 1979 and 2007
The following three graphs compare indexes, trends and variations between 1979 and
2007.
Figure 17. Comparison Index fire fatalities per million inhabitants in 1979 and in 2007. (Source: Fire death
rate trends: An international Perspective 2011).
Figure 18. Comparison of the trend rate of
fire fatalities per million inhabitants (1979
– 2007). (Graph prepared partly by Antonio
Galán based on data taken from Fire death
rate trends: An international Perspective
2011).
4. Comparison fire statistics data of Spain and Europe

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Figure 19. Comparison Index fire fatalities per million inhabitants by European regions
(1979 – 2007). (Graph prepared partly by Antonio Galán based on data taken from Fire
death rate trends: An international Perspective 2011).
Taking into account the results contained in the above graphs, Spain shows one of the
lowest fatality rates in Europe. Furthermore, this index has been improved since 1979,
from 12 to 5,2 fatalities per million inhabitants, and the trend shows from 1979 to
2007 a reduction of -54%.
The general trend of most countries is reducing the number of fatalities per million.
However, it draws attention the case of Denmark and the Czech Rep., which behave
contrary to the general behaviour and the trend is growing (+3,6% and +18,90%
respectively).
The analysis of European regions shows that reducing the rate of fire fatalities per
million inhabitants in the Nordic countries has been lower than the other two
European regions. Specifically, a 22,4% against Western and Eastern Europe showing
values around 65% reduction in fatalities.
- Period included between 2008 and 2010
In Figure 20, the fatalities are shown per 100 000 inhabitants in the interval between
2008 and 2010.
Figure 20. Fire fatalities
per 100,000 inhabitants
(2008-2010). (Graph
prepared partly by
Antonio Galán based on
data taken from Bulletin
World Fire Statistics. The
Geneva Association.
No.29).

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On the one hand, the fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants in Spain (0,52) represents one of
the lowest values in Europe. On the other hand, the Nordic countries still have the same
trend as the previous section, they have the highest numbers of fatalities in a fire at a
European level in the period from 2008 to 2010.
This section analyses the situation in which Spain and Europe are, in terms of fire fatalities in
relation to other countries.
The different regions of the world, it shows that Western and Eastern Europe have a great
reduction in fire deaths between 1979 and 2007 and its evolution is comparable to North
America. Scandinavia is at the bottom in reducing their deaths. However, Japan presents a
terrible result in terms of fire deaths due to it increased this value in the considered period.
Figure 21. Comparison Index fire fatalities per million inhabitants per regions in the
world (1979 – 2007). (Source: Fire death rate trends: An international Perspective
2011).
If we analyse fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants in the range from 2008 to 2010 with countries
worldwide, we can discover that Spain and a group of European countries continue at the top
positions.
By contrast, the Scandinavian countries and some countries in Eastern Europe, are at the tail of
this data set.
5. Comparison fire statistics data of Spain and Europe, with the rest of the world

16. Fire statistics
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Figure 22. Fire fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants (2008-
2010). (Chart prepared by the author based on data
taken from Bulletin World Fire Statistics. The Geneva
Association. No.29).

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Considering the last publications on fire statistics, let’s observe that Spain present one of the
most index of fire deaths in Europe. As it mentioned above and despite the increase in the
number of victims in Spain in 2016, it mainteined an index per million inhabitants of the lowest
compared to other European countries. (It is important to note that the value for Spain in 2016
was 3,76).
Figure 23. Comparison of the rate of fire
deaths (per million inhabitants) in different
countries in 2015 (Source: Mapfre
Foundation y APTB).

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Finally, it shows a comprehensive study that includes data from 2012 to 2016 and in which the
number of victims per year is shown per 100 000 inhabitants and per 100 fires. From these
data, it appears that European countries have acceptable data compared with other countries
worldwide.
Figure 24. Number of victims per year, per 100,000 population and per 100 fires. (Source: CTIF.
International association of fire and rescue services. Nº23 2018).

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The conclusions of this study can be grouped at national, European and global level:
National level:
 In 2016, the number of fire death was 175 and represents one of the worst data of the
last 6 years.
 Like other years, most fire deaths occur in the coldest months of the year.
 The people with an age higher than 65 years old are still the most vulnerable age
segment in case of fire.
 Fire deaths in buildings represent for almost 80% of all fire deaths.
 The cause that have driven more deaths in residential fires is the heat producer. Other
common causes include electricity, cooking and smoking. Moreover, the fires with
deaths occurs mainly in the living room, bedroom and kitchen.
 The main cause of death in case of fire is intoxication.
European level:
 Since 1979, Spain has been one of the countries in which most has reduced fatalities in
fires.
 The Nordic countries have the highest number of fatalities in fires.
Worlwide level:
 The rate of fire deaths per million inhabitants in Spain in 2016 is 3,76. This value
represents one of the lowest in the world.
 Fire deaths show that in European countries are relatively low compared to other
countries.
6. Conclusions

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 Estudio de víctimas de incendios en España 2016. Mapfre Foundation and APTB.
November 2017.
 Fire death rate trends: An international Perspective. Volume 12, Issue 8/July 2011.
U.S Department of Homeland Security – U.S. Fire Administration.
 CTIF. International association of fire and rescue services. Nº23. 2018.
 Atlas de accidentalidad en España. Accidentes, mortalidad y lesiones (2011-2015).
Marzo 2018.
Antonio works as fire safety consultant specialised in reaction to fire. Antonio is Bachelor of
Chemistry (Univ. Alcalá de Henares), postgraduate as Loss Adjuster (Univ. Barcelona and
INESE) and has an extensive training on fire safety issues such as Fire Safety: Technical Cycle
(CFPA-Europe and Cepreven) and Fire Safety Engineering Master (Universidad Nacional de
Educación a Distancia)
In addition and complementary to previous training, he studied the course "Inspection and
Evaluation of Multi-risks in Industries" and the NFPA modular seminar which included the
following standards:
- NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
- NFPA 20, Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection.
- NFPA 25, Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection
Systems
Currently, Antonio provides advisory and consulting services regarding to fire safety, mainly
in reaction to fire. Furthermore, he is Chairman of the national subcommittee on
standardization of fire safety (Reaction to fire) (CTN-23-SC6), member of the national
subcommittee on standardization of fire safety engineering (CTN-23-SC8), represents to
Spain in the meetings of the CEN/TC 127 "Fire Safety in Buildings", Spanish technical expert
in the working groups of CEN/TC 127 such as WG4 (Reaction to Fire), WG5 (Roofs) and WG7
(Classification), member of several associations and forums on fire safety (Tecnifuego,
APTB, Catalan Fire Safety Cluster, etc) and collaborates with Cepreven in the development
and participation as speaker in courses on passive protection and several universities as
Lecturer in the Fire Safety Engineering Masters.
In the past, he developed his professional career in the field of fire testing (Laboratory of
Reaction to Fire of AFITI (Spain)), being remarkable the position of Technical Director of
Laboratory and lecturer of the Master in Engineering Protection Fire at the University of
Comillas and Professionals fire protection engineering (APICI).
7. Bibliography
8. Information concerning to the author

21. Fire statistics
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Disclaimer
Antonio Galán is not responsible for the possible interpretations, actions and consequences
that may arise after the publication of the data contained in this document. In addition, the
author of this document is not responsible for the opinions that may be created about this
document by third parties as well as any legal implication derived from the use and
manipulation of the information contained in this document.
The possible differences that may exist are due to the fact that the data included in the
references publications (cited in the bibliography) have considered different victims.
Despite this fact, the data are conclusive and do not present significant differences.