As per the National Crime Records Bureau, about over 60 people die every day in India due to fire. Every year, about 25,000 persons die due to fires and related causes, in India. Women account for about 66% of those killed in fire accidents. Fire accounts for about 6% of the total deaths reported due to natural and unnatural causes.

Bulk of the cases reported every year are under the other causes category. Between 2001 and 2014, a total of 3.16 lakh fire accident cases were reported in the country. More than 20000 cases were reported in 12 of the 14 years. The highest number of cases were reported in 2011 (26343). The number of cases reported witnessed a mixed trend in the last 14 years. The number of cases saw a decline from 2001 to 2004 only to increase continuously from 2004. This increasing trend continued till 2011 only to be followed by a decreasing trend till 2014.

An average of 59 deaths per day in the last 14 years.

Close to 3 lakh people lost their lives in fire accidents between 2001 and 2014, an average of 59 deaths per day. The trend in the number of deaths more or less followed the trend in the number of such fire accident cases. The most number of deaths were reported in 2011 (24576) while the least number were reported in 2004 (18445).

24% of all the deaths reported from Maharashtra alone.

Of the States/UTs, Maharashtra reported the highest number of cases and deaths between 2001 and 2014. Maharashtra reported more than 84000 cases and 71730 deaths in the 14-year period. This is 24% of all the deaths reported in the country. Madhya Pradesh was second in the list reporting less than half the number of deaths as Maharashtra. Nine (9) states reported more than 10000 deaths in the 14-year period while six (6) states reported more than 20000 deaths. Fifteen (15) States/UTs reported less than 1000 deaths in the 14-year period. Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh & Gujarat together accounted for 46% of all the reported deaths

While the Economic losses suffered due to these fires have not been calculated. However, some estimates and independent studies have come up. According to one, out of the major losses reported by the Indian Insurance Companies, about 45% of the claims are due to fire losses. According to another study, about Rs. 1000 crores are lost every year due to fire.

A fire has accounted for 9% of the overall ranking of risks. Fires have been rated as the 5th highest risk in the manufacturing industry.

Many of these deaths could have been prevented, had we been aware of and taken enough fire protection measures.