The State Fire Marshal’s office says 2013 had the lowest fire-related deaths on record.
The previous record low for fire-related fatalities was seven in 1999. Last year, there were only four. Fire Marshal Bill Degnan says that’s still four too many but says he’s pleased to see the numbers drop.
“I think a lot of it can be attributed to many of the different things being done out there especially on fire safety education.”
Degnan also credits better fire codes and safer cigarettes causing fewer blazes.
The record high for fire fatalities in the state is 28 in 1973. Degnan says the number of structure fires has decreased steadily since the 70s and has plateaued in the past 10 years to around 4,500.