North Carolina records 159 fire deaths in 2025, report finds

Analysis shows older adults and homes without working smoke alarms face the greatest risk

North Carolina recorded 159 civilian fire deaths in 137 fatal fire incidents in 2025, according to a new statewide analysis released by the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal. The report, published in February, examines fire fatalities during 2025 and compares them with trends from 2021 through 2025 to identify patterns and prevention priorities.

Investigators found that most fatal fires involved a single death, but a small number of multi-fatality incidents accounted for a disproportionate share of the loss of life. In 2025, 18 multi-fatality fires resulted in 40 deaths — about 25% of all fatalities statewide.

The report concludes that fire deaths in North Carolina are largely accidental and often preventable. More than 83% of fatal fires were classified as accidental, while about 14% were undetermined and 2.5% were ruled intentional.

Older adults continued to face the highest risk. People age 65 and older accounted for 80 deaths in 2025, representing just over half of all fatalities. Adults ages 50 to 64 accounted for another 40 deaths.

Fire officials say older adults may face increased risks due to reduced mobility, chronic health conditions, living alone and greater vulnerability during overnight fires.

Men also represented a larger share of fire deaths. Of the 159 fatalities recorded in 2025, 91 victims were male and 68 were female.

Residential fires remain the leading setting for deadly incidents, according to the report. Many fatal fires occurred during colder months when heating equipment is used more frequently and people spend more time indoors.

December recorded the highest number of fire deaths in 2025 with 30 fatalities, followed by January with 27 and March with 21. Summer months saw far fewer deaths, including just two fatalities in June.

Time of day also played a major role. Fire deaths were most common overnight and in the early morning hours when occupants were likely asleep. The report found the highest risk period occurred between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m., with elevated risk between midnight and 3 a.m.

A major factor in many deadly fires was the absence of working smoke alarms. Investigators found that 84 fatalities — about 53% — occurred in homes where smoke alarms were missing or not functioning.

By comparison, only 15 fatalities, or about 9%, occurred in homes where a working smoke alarm was confirmed.

State officials say expanding smoke alarm installation and replacement programs remains the single most effective way to reduce fire deaths.

Electrical problems were the leading known ignition source in fatal fires, linked to 29 deaths. Heating equipment and smoking materials each contributed to 25 fatalities. Other causes included cooking-related fires, vehicle fires and lithium-ion battery incidents.

Fire deaths were not evenly distributed across the state. Fatalities were reported in 58 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in 2025, while 42 counties reported none. Larger population centers tended to report the highest numbers of deaths.

The five-year analysis included in the report identified similar patterns across the state. Between 2021 and 2025, North Carolina recorded 714 civilian fire deaths in 623 fatal incidents.

Over that period, older adults consistently represented the most vulnerable group, and overnight fires remained the most deadly. Officials also found that multi-fatality incidents accounted for more than one-fifth of all deaths during the five-year period.

The report concludes that the data points to several clear prevention priorities: expanding smoke alarm programs, focusing fire safety outreach on older adults and directing prevention efforts toward communities with repeated fire deaths.

Officials say those strategies could significantly reduce fire fatalities in North Carolina in the years ahead.