Coroner Data Reveals Factors in Fire Deaths

From: The National Indigenous Fire Safety Council (NIFSC)

August 7, 2024

PRESS RELEASE: A new Statistics Canada report explores coroner data to reveal factors behind the escalated fire risk for Indigenous people. 



A new study of Canadian coroner data suggests that unsafe homes, lack of working smoke alarms and delayed fire response are among the factors in why Indigenous people in Canada die in fires more often than non-Indigenous people.

The National Indigenous Fire Safety Council (NIFSC) has released a new Statistics Canada study delving into the circumstances surrounding fire deaths in Canada from 2011 to 2020, based on the Canadian Coroner and Medical Examiner Database (CCMED) and Canadian Vital Statistics death data, linked to the 2006 and 2016 long-form censuses and the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS).

Entitled Circumstances Surrounding Fire-related Deaths among the Indigenous People in Canada, 2011 to 2020, the report was commissioned by NIFSC, which is funded by Indigenous Services Canada.

The data suggests that Indigenous people most at risk of dying in a fire in Canada live in rural areas with underfunded fire services, in homes that need major repairs, and in provinces without ongoing and widespread smoke alarm education and installation programs.

Federal regions (provinces) without Indigenous organizations providing ongoing and widespread smoke alarm education and installation programs as Indigenous communities fall outside of provincial fire safety acts and provincial fire marshal’s jurisdictions.

“Study after study has shown us that Indigenous people in Canada die in residential fires at a much higher rate than non-Indigenous people, but this new data helps fill in the gaps as to why that is happening,” said Blaine Wiggins, Senior Director of the NIFSC. “With this compelling new evidence, we urge decision-makers across Canada to acknowledge the factors that increase this risk and to take immediate and appropriate steps to address them.”

Key Study Insights

Fires are the fourth most common cause of unintentional death and injury worldwide. In Canada, an average of 220 people died in fires each year from 2011 to 2020.

A total of 2,200 deaths were reported to the CCMED during that time frame, but the study sample was about one-third of that number, limited to the 700 deaths that could also be linked to census and NHS data in order to obtain more accurate details. While the study sample may not represent all fire-related deaths in Canada, the study’s key findings are based on data that was consistent between the sample and the total fire deaths: place of death, sex and age.

Who is at risk:

• Indigenous people made up 20 per cent of fire deaths from 2011 to 2020 but represent 4.9 per cent of the total population.
  
• Indigenous people who died in fires were on average 41 per cent younger than non-Indigenous people (mean age of 39 vs. 59). This may be explained in part by their younger age profile; 83 per cent are under age 55 compared to 69 per cent for non-Indigenous people.
  
• Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec had the highest proportion of Indigenous fire deaths based on their Indigenous populations, while Ontario and British Columbia had the least.
  

Circumstances related to fire deaths:

• For both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, most fire deaths occurred in residential fires, most often in a single-detached home and in the winter. Fire deaths were more prevalent among men than women for both groups.
  
• Indigenous people who died in a fire were 4.5 times more likely to live in homes that need major repairs than non-Indigenous people (about 56 per cent vs. 13 per cent).
  Twice as many Indigenous people who died in a fire lived in rural areas compared to non-Indigenous people (two-thirds vs. one-third). Rural areas tend to be further from fire stations and paramedic services, and served by volunteer firefighters.
  
• Cooking, electrical and heating devices were the most common sources of fatal fires for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, followed by cigarettes and candles or other open flames. However, ignition sources were less often specified in Indigenous fires. This may point to a reduced level of fire service in rural areas, either related to data collection or response times that resulted in damage too extensive to identify the source.
• Nearly one in eight (12 per cent) Indigenous fire deaths were reported in homes without a working smoke alarm, similar to non-Indigenous people. Noting smoke alarms was either not specified, unknown or not applicable for 80% of fire-related deaths among Indigenous people.
  

The risk factors for Indigenous people are combined with other known vulnerabilities that increase the danger of fire-related injury and death, including lower education and income, overcrowded living conditions, and limited access to healthcare in rural areas.

Using What Was Learned

The new report provides direction for interventions to reduce the fire risk for Indigenous people: 

• Home maintenance: Home disrepair has been identified as a risk factor in fire deaths. Census data shows that 19.4 per cent of Indigenous people live in a dwelling requiring major repairs, compared to six per cent of non-Indigenous people.
• Smoke alarms: Research has shown working smoke alarms significantly reduce the risk of fire injuries and deaths. The provinces with the lowest proportion of Indigenous fire deaths based on population, Ontario and British Columbia, both have ongoing smoke alarm education and installation programs with a focus on vulnerable populations.
• General fire education: In addition to smoke alarms, a report by the Ontario chief coroner has identified that education on topics such as fire escape, fire safety and home maintenance is key to reducing fire fatalities in First Nations.
• Information-gathering: Data related to Indigenous-specific fire deaths was lacking in a number of areas and topics. Fire services continue to be encouraged to report data to the National Fire Information Database to support the development of evidence-based interventions.

“This new research provides a clear pathway for where our investments can have the most impact and save the most lives,” Wiggins notes. “While we continue to collect data, it’s important that action is taken on what has been learned and established through research. We’re happy to provide advice and resources to help guide this work. Every moment we do nothing, people are losing their lives.”

The report Circumstances Surrounding Fire-related Deaths among the Indigenous People in Canada, 2011 to 2020 may be viewed at here.

About NIFSC

The National Indigenous Fire Safety Council (NIFSC) Project is the result of a new Indigenous-developed framework designed to support Indigenous communities in the development of their internal capacity to support community safety and resiliency. The NIFSC Project is Indigenous inspired, designed, and led in collaboration with regional and national Indigenous communities, organizations, and leaders.

For more information on the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council Project:

Arnold Lazare, Deputy Operations Chief, Indigenous Fire Marshal Service
Arnold.Lazare@indigenousfiresafety.ca
1-514-894-2989