New data released Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal Division (SFMD) shows 70 people were killed in fires last year in Minnesota, marking the most fire deaths since 1995 when 86 people were killed by fire.
"While these are the numbers, they're also people," said Amanda Swenson, Interim State Fire Marshal. "They were loved, had families, jobs, lives, and their future was tragically cut short."
Fire investigators collect data throughout the year and the State Fire Marshal also works with the Minnesota Department of Health to determine the final number of fire fatalities.
Causes were undetermined in 40 of the 70 deaths. 12 people died through accidental/unintentional fires, and 9 were killed through smoking-related fires.
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The average victim is 56-years-old, although victims ranged from six to 90-years-old.
Brainerd fire chief Tim Holmes spoke Thursday about the number of fire deaths that occurred in greater Minnesota. Data shows Fifty-nine percent of all deadly fires took place in 30 counties outside the Twin Cities metro.
"In the seven-county metro area, there are 9.7 fatal fires per million people. In greater Minnesota, fatal fires jump to 21.4 per million people," Holmes said.
Those numbers, Holmes added, are troubling for Minnesota firefighters.
"We are already at a disadvantage because paid on-call firefighters staff many of these departments. These firefighters face the challenge of first having to arrive at the station, gear-up, and get on a truck before they even get to the emergency scene. When deadly fires occur, it not only takes a toll on the victim's loved ones, but on the community and the firefighters."
Fire deaths in Minnesota are trending ahead of where they were last year.
SFMD is working with fire departments, community leaders, and groups to prevent fire deaths and injuries in 2023. That outreach includes investing in fire education programs and teaching about changes that can be made at a personal level to reduce fire risks.