The leading cause of school fires is intentional fires (arson), accounting for over 40% of school fire incidents. These fires are often set by students and can result from curiosity, emotional crises, delinquent behavior, or mental health issues. Such intentional fires also cause about one-third of the total property damage from school fires annually. Other major causes include cooking equipment fires, children playing with heat sources like matches and lighters, and heating equipment malfunctions. Electrical malfunctions and careless smoking are also factors but less dominant compared to intentional fires.
Details on Causes
- Intentional fires are mostly set by students, with motivations varying by age group and psychological factors. Younger children tend to start fires out of curiosity, while older adolescents may do so due to peer pressure, emotional distress, or antisocial behavior.
- Cooking equipment fires rank second and mainly occur in school kitchens, though these tend to be minor and controlled due to staff presence.
- Playing with heat sources such as lighters and matches is a significant cause, especially in elementary schools, where injuries from such fires are higher.
- Heating equipment malfunctions account for about 10% of school fires, often linked to poor maintenance or improper use.
- Electrical problems and faulty wiring contribute to fires, mainly in older schools with aging infrastructure.
This knowledge stresses the importance of prevention strategies focused on fire safety education, supervision, maintenance, and early intervention with at-risk students. Schools should report all fire incidents to authorities to help identify and address firesetting behavior before it escalates.
