The U.S. Fire Administration has issued a special report examining the causes and characteristics of fires in college and university residential buildings, including dormitories and fraternity and sorority houses. The report, “University Housing Fires,” was developed by the National Fire Data Center and is a part of the USFA’s Topical Fire Report Series.

An estimated average of 3,800 fires occurs each year in university dwellings. Annually, these fires are also responsible for five deaths, 50 civilian injuries and $26 million in property loss. This report is based on 2005 to 2007 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System.

According to the report, 94% of university housing fires occur in dormitories and dormitory-type residences, and 6% occur in fraternity and sorority houses. University-housing fires peak in September and October and are most frequent between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., when students prepare snacks or cook meals. Cooking fires account for 83% of all university-housing fires. Confined cooking fires, those confined to the container, account for 77% of all university-housing fires.