Minnesota Seeing Big Drop In Fire Fatalities
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesotans are doing a better job of practicing fire safety. The proof of that comes in the latest numbers from the State Fire Marshal's office.
If current trend continues, Minnesota is on pace to suffer the fewest fire fatalities ever recorded.
Still, an early morning fire on Minnesota's Iron Range claimed the latest fire victim. Virginia firefighters responded to a house fire early Wednesday morning that killed one and sent two victims to the hospital with burns.
Sadly, it happened in a year that is witnessing a historic low number of fatal fires.
"One fire death is too many," State Fire Marshal Bruce West said.
West is responsible for tracking the state's fire trends each year and says so far, 2016 appears promising.
"At this time we're at 26, the lowest recorded amount is 35 in 2009, so we're on pace to potentially have a new low," West said.
To put it into perspective, consider that in 1976 there were 134 fire fatalities. Last year registered 57 fire-related deaths.
Even with Wednesday's latest fire fatality, the state's 26 so far this year stands at nine fewer than the lowest number of fire fatalities ever recorded, 35 in 2009.
Still, the question remains, what explains the sudden drop?
Fire Marshal West believes it could reflect the fact that fewer people lighting up. Instead, switching to vaping. In addition, more careful use of space heaters and candles.
All are a reflection in the value of constantly stressing fire safety – which now appears to be paying dividends in human lives.
"We just hope people are taking fire prevention more seriously, talking to their families about it, checking smoke alarms, making sure the batteries work in the alarms," West said.
