The annual Fire Fatality Report for 2013 is now available on the web at www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/firemars.htm. With more than 91 percent of the fire fatalities occurring in residential occupancies, being prepared and knowing what to do in the event of a fire can save lives.

“We want to raise awareness about the danger of fire and the frequency of home fire deaths,” said State Fire Marshal Chuck Duffy. “How we and our communities fare in a fire emergency depends heavily on the planning and preparation that we put into practice.”

For the second year in a row, Washington State has continued to see a decrease in fire related fatalities, with a total of fifty-four fatalities reported in 2013.

The data used for this report was received from fire and law enforcement agencies throughout Washington State. It was then collected into a centralized database for analysis and report development in accordance with Revised Code of Washington 43.44.060.