ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO) – Preliminary numbers show a 13% increase in Minnesota fire deaths in 2020.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office says at least 53 people died in fires last year – compared to 47 in 2019. The 53 fatalities is the highest since 68 fire fatalities in 2017. Smoking was again the leading cause of fatal fires and gas-related explosions were the second-leading cause. At least seven people died in smoking-related fires and six were killed in explosions.
People age 50 and over accounted for 68% of fire deaths last year and 23% of all victims had alcohol in their systems. The fire death rate in Minnesota has dropped 63 percent since the 1970s.
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