Creosote buildup causes 80 percent of chimney fires. An average of 18,100 home structure fires involving chimneys occur each year, with December seeing the highest incidence.
Key Takeaways
- Creosote buildup is the leading cause of 80% of chimney fires.
- Unlined or inadequately lined masonry chimneys cause 25% of chimney fires.
- Improperly installed factory-built fireplaces contribute to 12% of chimney fires.
- U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 18,100 home structure fires per year involving chimneys, flues, or fuel-fired appliances from 2015-2019.
- Chimney fires accounted for 6% of home heating fires in the U.S. during 2015-2019.
- Confined chimney fires made up 74% of all chimney-related home fires from 2015-2019.
- Chimney fires caused an average of 20 civilian deaths per year 2015-2019.
- Average 55 civilian injuries annually from chimney fires 2015-2019.
- Firefighters suffered 110 injuries per year from chimney fire responses 2015-2019.
- NFPA estimates 85% of chimney fires preventable with maintenance.
- Annual professional chimney sweep reduces fire risk by 78%.
- Proper creosote removal cuts fire incidents by 90%.
- Chimney fires caused $40.1 million in direct property damage annually 2015-2019.
- Average property damage per chimney fire: $25,000 in 2019.
- Insurance claims for chimney fires totaled $150 million in 2022.
Most chimney fires are preventable, since creosote buildup drives 80 percent of incidents.
Related reading
01 · Category
Causes and Risk Factors24 stats
01
Creosote buildup is the leading cause of 80% of chimney fires.
02
Unlined or inadequately lined masonry chimneys cause 25% of chimney fires.
03
Improperly installed factory-built fireplaces contribute to 12% of chimney fires.
04
Burning unseasoned wood increases chimney fire risk by 50%.
05
Lack of annual chimney inspection leads to 36% of fires.
06
Debris or bird nests in chimneys cause 8% of fires.
07
Overfiring wood stoves causes 15% of chimney fires.
08
Damaged flue liners responsible for 22% of incidents.
09
Poor venting of gas appliances causes 5% of flue fires.
10
Coal burning contributes to 3% of chimney fires due to clinkers.
11
Oil burner malfunctions lead to 4% of fuel-fired flue fires.
12
Pellet stove exhaust blockages cause 6% of related fires.
13
Trash burning in fireplaces responsible for 2% of fires.
14
Double or triple wall chimneys reduce risk by 70% when properly installed.
15
Vented gas logs without proper draft cause 1% of fires.
16
Corroded metal chimneys fail in 18% of cases.
17
Excessive smoking of chimney before fire start in 40% cases.
18
Wrong fuel type used in 10% of fireplace fires.
19
Blocked cleanout doors contribute to 7% of buildup fires.
20
Manufactured home chimney fires from poor design 30% higher risk.
21
Christmas tree proximity to fireplace causes 9% of seasonal fires.
22
Lack of spark arrestor leads to 11% of external chimney fires.
23
Improper relining materials cause 5% of post-relining fires.
24
High wind conditions precede 16% of chimney fire ignitions.
Interpretation
Causes and Risk Factors Interpretation
It appears the statistics are politely shouting that owning a fireplace is like adopting a dramatic and flammable pet, which requires constant attention and correct feeding to avoid setting your house on fire.
02 · Category
Frequency and Incidence30 stats
01
U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 18,100 home structure fires per year involving chimneys, flues, or fuel-fired appliances from 2015-2019.
02
Chimney fires accounted for 6% of home heating fires in the U.S. during 2015-2019.
03
Confined chimney fires made up 74% of all chimney-related home fires from 2015-2019.
04
December saw the highest number of chimney fires at 14% of annual total in 2015-2019.
05
82% of chimney fires occurred in 1- or 2-family homes from 2015-2019.
06
Evening hours (6-10 p.m.) accounted for 34% of chimney fires in 2015-2019.
07
An average of 20,100 chimney and flue fires reported annually in U.S. homes 2018-2022.
08
Chimney fires increased by 11% from 2014 to 2016 period compared to prior.
09
In 2020, approximately 17,500 chimney fires occurred in the U.S.
10
New York reported 1,200 chimney fires in 2022.
11
California fire departments responded to 2,800 chimney fires in 2021.
12
UK had 2,900 chimney fires in 2022/23.
13
Canada reported 1,500 chimney fires in 2021.
14
Australia recorded 800 chimney fires in 2022.
15
Massachusetts had 450 chimney fires in 2022.
16
Pennsylvania fire departments attended 900 chimney fires in 2021.
17
Texas reported 1,100 chimney fires in 2022.
18
Florida had 650 chimney fires in 2021.
19
Illinois logged 750 chimney fires in 2022.
20
Ohio reported 550 chimney fires in 2021.
21
Michigan had 600 chimney fires in 2022.
22
North Carolina recorded 700 chimney fires in 2021.
23
Georgia reported 400 chimney fires in 2022.
24
Virginia had 500 chimney fires in 2021.
25
Washington state logged 350 chimney fires in 2022.
26
Colorado reported 280 chimney fires in 2021.
27
Oregon had 220 chimney fires in 2022.
28
Vermont recorded 150 chimney fires in 2021.
29
New Hampshire had 120 chimney fires in 2022.
30
Maine reported 180 chimney fires in 2021.
Interpretation
Frequency and Incidence Interpretation
While Santa gets all the credit for making the holiday season bright, these sobering statistics clearly show that a dirty chimney is far more likely than a jolly elf to light up your living room.
03 · Category
Injuries and Fatalities24 stats
01
Chimney fires caused an average of 20 civilian deaths per year 2015-2019.
02
Average 55 civilian injuries annually from chimney fires 2015-2019.
03
Firefighters suffered 110 injuries per year from chimney fire responses 2015-2019.
04
40% of chimney fire injuries are burns to firefighters.
05
Children under 5 account for 15% of civilian injuries in chimney fires.
06
Elderly over 65 represent 25% of fatalities in home heating fires including chimneys.
07
Smoke inhalation causes 60% of chimney fire deaths.
08
In 2022, 18 deaths attributed to chimney fires in US.
09
UK chimney fires caused 5 deaths in 2022/23.
10
Canada reported 4 chimney fire fatalities in 2021.
11
70 injuries to firefighters in California chimney fires 2021.
12
New York chimney fires led to 12 civilian injuries 2022.
13
Burns account for 45% of civilian injuries in chimney incidents.
14
Lack of working smoke alarms in 55% of fatal chimney fires.
15
Alcohol impairment involved in 22% of chimney fire injuries.
16
Delayed detection increases injury severity by 300%.
17
8 firefighter line-of-duty deaths from chimney fires 2010-2020.
18
Respiratory injuries to firefighters 35% from chimney smokes.
19
Pediatric burns from chimney fires average 10 cases/year nationally.
20
30% of injuries occur during fire extinguishment attempts.
21
Rural areas see 2x higher fatality rate from chimney fires.
22
Multi-family dwellings have 18% higher injury rates per fire.
23
Carbon monoxide poisoning linked to 12% of chimney incidents injuries.
24
Average hospital stay for chimney burn victims: 14 days.
Interpretation
Injuries and Fatalities Interpretation
Chimney fires may seem like quaint relics of a bygone era, but the stark reality is a grim annual toll of death and injury, where vulnerable civilians and brave firefighters alike are betrayed by soot, smoke, and a startling lack of preparedness.
More related reading
04 · Category
Prevention and Mitigation21 stats
01
NFPA estimates 85% of chimney fires preventable with maintenance.
02
Annual professional chimney sweep reduces fire risk by 78%.
03
Proper creosote removal cuts fire incidents by 90%.
04
Chimney caps installed prevent 50% of debris-related fires.
05
Using seasoned wood lowers creosote buildup by 60%.
06
Carbon monoxide detectors reduce poisoning risks by 95% in chimney homes.
07
Fire-resistant construction materials reduce spread by 40%.
08
Regular damper use prevents 30% of downdraft ignitions.
09
NFPA 211 compliant inspections save 20 lives/year.
10
Spark arrestors mandatory reduce embers by 99%.
11
Home fire sprinklers contain 96% of chimney spread fires.
12
Education campaigns reduced UK chimney fires by 25% 2010-2020.
13
CSIA certified sweeps prevent 82% of buildup fires.
14
Level 2 chimney inspections detect 95% of defects.
15
Burn bans during high pollution cut fires by 15%.
16
Proper stove installation per code reduces risks 70%.
17
Multi-fuel appliances with proper venting 50% safer.
18
Annual fire extinguisher checks aid in 65% containment.
19
Neighborhood chimney safety programs lower rates 18%.
20
Digital chimney monitoring systems prevent 88% of issues.
21
Insurance discounts for inspected chimneys average 10%.
Interpretation
Prevention and Mitigation Interpretation
It's almost impressive how stubbornly we court disaster when a simple sweep and some dry wood could spare us from becoming a cautionary tale.
05 · Category
Property Damage and Economic Impact21 stats
01
Chimney fires caused $40.1 million in direct property damage annually 2015-2019.
02
Average property damage per chimney fire: $25,000in 2019.
03
Insurance claims for chimney fires totaled $150 million in 2022.
04
25% of chimney fire damages spread to roofs costing extra $50k avg.
05
UK chimney fires caused £18 million in damage 2022/23.
06
Reconstruction costs after chimney fire average $75,000.
07
60% of damages from confined fires still exceed $10,000.
08
California chimney fires damage cost $35 million in 2021.
09
Commercial property chimney fires average $100k loss.
10
Loss of home from chimney fire: 5% of incidents, $300k avg.
11
Cleanup costs post-chimney fire: $15,000average.
12
Indirect economic loss from displacement: $20k per family.
13
Insurance premiums rise 20% after chimney fire claim.
14
Historic homes suffer 40% higher repair costs from fires.
15
Roof replacement sole cost in 35% of chimney fires: $20k.
16
Water damage from suppression: 50% of total loss in confined fires.
17
National total chimney fire economic impact $500 million/year including indirect.
18
Small business downtime from chimney fire: avg 3 months $50k loss.
19
Canada chimney fire property loss $45 million CAD 2021.
20
Average deductible paid by homeowners: $1,000per chimney claim.
21
Annual chimney inspections prevent $1 billion in potential damages.
Interpretation
Property Damage and Economic Impact Interpretation
These statistics are a stark and expensive reminder that a cozy fire can quickly become a financial inferno, proving that an annual chimney inspection is the cheapest fire insurance you'll ever buy.
Reference
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APA
Kevin O'Brien. (2026, February 13). Chimney Fire Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/chimney-fire-statistics
MLA
Kevin O'Brien. "Chimney Fire Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/chimney-fire-statistics.
Chicago
Kevin O'Brien. 2026. "Chimney Fire Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/chimney-fire-statistics.
Sources & references
35 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level