My family lives in a bustling area of Brooklyn, where the sound of fire engine sirens is a familiar backdrop to our evenings. However, the cacophony of alarms on the morning of September 17 was enough to wake me from my slumber. Later that day, I learned about a devastating five-alarm fire that engulfed a 150-year-old artists’ warehouse in nearby Red Hook, a tragedy that impacted more than 500 artists and underscored the vulnerabilities of our urban spaces. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but the loss to the artistic community is incalculable.
This incident prompted me to reflect on the state of urban fires across America today. Fires have posed a threat to cities since their inception. The Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE, though not orchestrated by Emperor Nero as once believed, serves as one of the earliest examples of urban conflagration. Similarly, the Great Fire of London in 1666 saw even the stones of churches consumed by flames. In the United States, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 left 100,000 people homeless, and as recently as the 1970s, the Bronx was averaging two fires per hour, resulting in the destruction of 80% of its housing stock.
Despite the tragic fire in Red Hook, which serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by older buildings, we must also acknowledge the significant progress made in fire safety. According to recent data, the per-capita civilian fire death rate has plummeted by roughly two-thirds since 1980, from about 28.6 deaths per million people to around 11 per million in 2023. Additionally, reported fires have decreased by half in the same timeframe, and injuries have also seen a notable decline.
The catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles earlier this year highlight a new threat to urban areas, exemplifying the growing risks climate change poses to our cities. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that American homes and buildings are now much less susceptible to deadly fires than in the past, thanks to numerous incremental improvements in fire safety.
One of the most significant advancements in fire prevention is the prevalence of smoke alarms. Although the first automatic smoke fire alarm was invented in 1890, it wasn’t until 1977 that less than a quarter of U.S. households had them installed—an astonishing statistic when reflecting on the present. Today, smoke alarms are found in the vast majority of homes, and their presence has led to a 60% decrease in the death rate per home fire when compared to homes without working alarms. Modern building codes now typically require interconnected systems and alarms in bedrooms. However, regular maintenance is essential, as many fatal fires still occur in residences lacking working alarms or with malfunctioning devices. Battery-powered smoke alarms are deemed safer than those that are hardwired.
When it comes to managing fires that do break out, automatic sprinklers have become increasingly common in buildings. These systems significantly enhance safety; the civilian death rate per fire is approximately 90% lower in buildings equipped with sprinklers than in those without such systems. Most new multifamily homes and apartment buildings are now mandated to have these life-saving installations.
Another critical factor in reducing fire incidents is the introduction of safer furnishings and interior finishes. In 2021, the U.S. adopted a national smolder-resistance standard for upholstered furniture, building on existing California regulations. By ensuring that upholstery is less likely to ignite from a dropped cigarette or an ember, the risk of small fires escalating into full-blown disasters is minimized.
The reduction in smoking rates also plays a role in fire safety. In 1980, an estimated 70,800 home fires were attributed to smoking, resulting in 1,820 deaths. Thanks to a significant decline in smoking prevalence and the implementation of “fire-safe” cigarettes—which are less likely to ignite—by 2016, smoking-related fires had plummeted to 16,500 incidents, causing 660 deaths, all while the population and the number of buildings continued to rise.
Furthermore, modern building codes require better electrical and heating safety measures. Safeguards such as arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) cut power when electrical wires begin to arc, significantly reducing the risk of fire. Despite heating equipment remaining a major cause of fires, incidents related to heating have decreased by one-third between 2010 and 2019, partly due to advancements in appliance safety, such as automatic shutoffs for space heaters.
These advancements in fire safety did not materialize by chance; they were the result of dedicated efforts by regulators and public service campaigns to raise awareness and drive change. Campaigns that promote smoke alarm installation and educate the public about risky behaviors, such as smoking in bed, have played a vital role in saving countless lives over the decades.
While we may never fully comprehend the fires that were prevented, it is essential to recognize how far we have come since the days when neighborhoods like the Bronx were engulfed in flames. However, we must remain vigilant, as the majority of fire fatalities still occur in homes, particularly among vulnerable populations including older adults, individuals with disabilities, and low-income households residing in older buildings.
As we move forward, we must acknowledge the ongoing risks posed by wildfires, particularly as they threaten urban areas. The journey toward improved fire safety is ongoing, and though progress has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure the safety of all communities in the face of an ever-evolving landscape of fire hazards.
