Statistics show home fire death rate higher than in 1980

QUINCY, Mass. – According to the National Fire Protection Association, if someone has a reported home fire today, they are more likely to die than they were in 1980.

This startling fact is attributed to several factors, including the way homes are built and the contents in them.

“Open floor plans and a prevalence of modern synthetic furnishings make homes burn faster and the fires produce deadly smoke and gases within moments,” Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of Outreach and Advocacy, said.

According to Carli, residents can have as little as two to three minutes to escape a home fire today...