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 ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
FIRE
MARSHAL
FOR
1975
BRITISH
COLUMBIA
Hon. Garde B. Gardom, Q.C.
Attorney-General of British Columbia
Henry K. Jenns
Fire Marshal of British Columbia
MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL
  To Colonel the Honourable Walter S. Owen, Q.C, LL.D.,
Lieutenant-Governor oj the Province oj British Columbia
May it please Your Honour:
The undersigned has the honour to present the Fifty-third Annual Report of the
Fire Marshal for the year ended December 31, 1975.
GARDE B. GARDOM, Q.C.
A ttorney-General
Victoria, B.C.
 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FIRE MARSHAL
This annual report for 1975, as you will notice, is reduced in volume from the
previous year. We feel that an annual report should contain only the most important
information—information that is easy to understand and is useful to the majority of
readers. That way, the important information does not get buried in a large volume
of figures. Any additional information of a detailed and specific nature may always
be obtained from this office at any time.
This annual report is based on the system now advocated by the National Fire
Protection Association. It is anticipated that these statistics will provide each
municipality with a meaningful basis for fire prevention, fire suppression, and the
general upgrading of public safety.
HENRY K. JENNS
Fire Marshal
 '
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Fire Losses in Municipalities and Fire Districts     7
Fire Loss Statistics of All Fires     9
Summary of Fire Losses by Property Classifications  14
Fire Losses of $250,000 and Over.  15
Major Causes of Fire Resulting in Death  15
Fire Casualties by Month  16
Fire Casualties by Day of Week  16
Fire Casualties by Age  16
Circumstances Contributing to Fire Casualties  17
Fire Crime Statistics  18
Inspections and Orders by Local Assistant Fire Marshals  19
10-year Property Fire Loss Comparison  21
Charts—
Number of Fires  22
Fires per Capita  22
Annual Dollar Loss  23
Dollar Loss per Fire  23
Per Capita Loss  24
Fire Fatalities  24
  Fire Losses in Municipalities and Fire Districts, 1975
City Municipalities
Armstrong   	
Burnaby 	
Chilliwack	
Courtenay  	
Cranbrook  	
Dawson Creek
Duncan   	
Enderby 	
Fernie  	
Grand Forks _
Kamloops	
Kelowna 	
Kimberley	
Langley  	
Nanaimo	
Nelson 	
4
409
35
26
35
25
20
4
4
135
34
11
19
67
27
Loss    Injured Dead
$
17,000         	
1,885,391 27 2
133,121 2 1
55,498 _....     	
355,786   .  2
90,133         	
47,693         	
1,012,358         	
591,689
1,241,800
510,861
40,737
66,252
201,910
551,151
North Vancouver
City  	
New Westminster .
Port Alberni	
Port Coquitlam 	
Penticton   	
Prince George 	
Port Moody 	
Prince Rupert 	
Revelstoke  	
Rossland    _
Trail   	
Vancouver	
Vernon 	
Victoria   -	
White Rock ....
Incidents
104
154
84
11
81
306
27
17
18
11
49
2,016
81
229
14
Loss    Injured Dead
$
586,022
798,222
273,834
23,050
1,346,909
2,647,245
273,528
245,384
156,058
215,550
87,904
7,467,199
340,151
1,091,095
176,493
20
1
7
7
3
51
1
29
1
20
Incidents
District Municipalities
Loss    Injured Dead
Incidents       Loss    Injured Dead
Abbotsford-Sumas  _
Campbell River	
Central Saanich	
Chilliwhack 	
Coldstream	
Coquitlam 	
Delta	
Esquimalt   	
Hudson's Hope	
Houston  	
Kent  —
Kitimat 	
Langley 	
Mackenzie	
Mission	
Maple Ridge	
Matsqui
North Cowichan
North Saanich 	
47
45
13
81
7
113
151
32
3
41
123
13
27
103
74
41
267,870
260,580
72,232
739,822
55,512
388,818
861,734
149,179
375,000
148,103
345,561
1,498,064
136,979
639,142
593,868
286,343
248,065
102,100
1 	
1     .	
7 1
1
12 2
  1
1 1
14 	
North Vancouver
Oak Bay 	
Peachland  	
Port Hardy	
Pitt Meadows 	
Powell River 	
Richmond 	
Saanich   	
Sparwood   	
Summerland 	
Salmon Arm 	
Spallumcheen 	
Squamish 	
Stewart  	
Surrey 	
Terrace 	
Whistler 	
West Vancouver
244
29
2
7
11
29
180
112
6
9
32
6
19
7
387
42
2
89
3,923,391
26,225
90,150
645,859
65,263
337,112
1,358,170
259,721
85,700
88,000
817,430
21,016
762,760
75,500
2,211,081
1,171,700
11,000
326,735
17
1
	
1
1
2
11
2
1
14
1
Incidents
Fire Districts
Loss    Injured Dead
Incidents       Loss    Injured Dead
Cariboo County	
Colwood 	
loco     	
Kootenay County —
Langford 	
Nanaimo County	
Ocean Falls 	
Prince Rupert County
361
19
1
158
10
168
7
122
4,384,894
15,002
6,655
1,815,569
23,440
3,458,390
9,388
2,276,891
Sooke 	
University Area .	
Vancouver County .
Victoria County	
View Royal	
Westminster   County
Yale County	
3
25
47
34
3
46
44,000
61,390
851,273
470,601
4,200
775,111
252       4,942,188
19
Castlegar
Comox 	
Creston _.
Golden _
Hope
Fort St. John
Kinnaird  	
Incidents
6
9
1
6
34
Loss
$
186,905
22,478
26,610
1,000
18,955
428,725
48,650
Town Municipalities
Injured Dead
Incidents
Ladysmith  .   6
Merritt    9
Quesnel  32
Sidney    	
Smithers   13
Williams Lake   22
Loss    Injured Dead
$
31,369         	
526,819         	
205,017	
68,691
1,525,262   __
 AA 8 BRITISH COLUMBIA
Fire Losses in Municipalities and Fire Districts, 1975—Continued
Village Municipalities
Inc
Alert Bay
idents
1
10
3
1
1
5
1
2
1
14
1
1
6
1
3
7
2
1
2
2
13
8
1
Loss    Injured Dead
$
31,239         	
367,100	
49,303	
361	
2,500	
600    	
600         	
3,300	
1,500         	
112,712         	
75 	
434         	
42,621          	
1,843 	
2,230         	
34,410	
15,150	
500	
4,600         	
2,510	
150,093 	
2,932       1     	
9,750 	
Incidents
6
Loss    li
$
1,390
17,253
51,160
ljured
1
Dead
McBride
Midway
Montrose
Nakusp
Oliver
Osoyoos
Parksville
Pouce Coupe 	
Port Edward
Pemberton . .   .
Port McNeill 	
2
7
2
3
12
3
2
_.        3
4
Burns Lake	
—
Chetwynd   .  ■ _	
18,191
541,000
—
Elkford    	
61,285
1
Fort Nelson 	
Fruitvale	
Granisle Village 	
Gibsons Landing 	
Gold River
Hazelton	
Harrison Hot Springs
100 Mile House 	
Invermere
Kaslo  	
20,100
12,500
9,800
14,450
68,806
11,000
305
1,127
53,900
137,400
25,000
77,609
	
Princeton 	
Qualicum Beach
Salmo	
Sechelt
Fort St. James
Tahsis .  	
Tnfinn
5
2
4
1
24
3
1
Lions Bay 	
Lake Cowichan
Taylor
Ucluelet  	
Valemount -
Vanderhoof    ~
Warfield
Zeballos
1
1
7
4
—
Logan Lake   .
Lumby       	
Lytton   	
291,500
10,000
4
Provincial Totals
Incidents
Provincial totals   7,782
Loss    Injured Dead
$
66,461,246   275      129
 REPORT OF THE FIRE MARSHAL, 1975
Fire Loss Statistics for All Fires,11975
AA 9
Incidents
Per Cent
Inciden
1,106
14.2
953
12.2
960
12.3
1,050
13.4
977
12.5
1,178
15.1
1,197
15.3
361
4.6
Loss
Per Cent of
Loss
Day of week—
Sunday	
Monday——
Tuesday.	
Wednesday-
Thursday.—
Friday	
Saturday	
Unknown	
Totals-
General construction—
Combustible, fire-resistance rating-
Less than % hour	
% hour or greater-
Heavy timber construction..
Noncombustible, fire-resistance rating—
Less than 1 hour	
1 hour or greater-
General construction—unclassified-
Unknown or not applicable	
Totals  	
Building height-
1-storey	
2-storey	
3-storey.	
4 to 6-storey..
7 to 10-storey—
11 to 20-storey...
21 and more storeys-
Unknown or not applicable-
Totals	
Year of construction-
Before 1900	
1900 to 1920...
1921 to 1940-
1941 to 1960.
1961 to 1980-
Unknown or not applicable-
Totals	
Interior fire protection—
Extinguishers, standpipe system, and manual alarm-
Extinguishers and standpipe system...
Extinguishers and manual alarm system..
Extinguishers..
Standpipe system and manual alarm system..
Standpipe system-
Manual fire alarm system-
Manual fire protection facilities—unclassified-
Unknown or not applicable	
Totals  	
Last inspected—
Less than 30 days.
31 to 60 days—.—
61 to 90 days	
91 to 180 days	
6 to 12 months	
13 to 24 months—
25 to 36 months	
Over 36 months-
Not applicable.
Unknown or not applicable-
Totals	
7,782
2,783
839
119
131
250
390
3,270
7,782
2,059
964
414
170
319
202
71
3,583
18
283
818
1,121
1,838
3,704
281
56
266
521
113
18
151
296
6,080
13,009,590
6,867,941
5,585,229
8,717,032
11,381,482
9,774,843
9,716,620
1,408,509
100.0
66,-461,246
35.7
10.7
1.5
1.6
3.2
5.0
42.0
100.0
26.4
12.3
5.3
2.1
4.0
2.5
0.9
46.0
32,959,917
10,460,254
3,548,506
1,097,588
2,984,078
5,154,130
10,256,773
66,461,246
I.
24,334,831
16,005,783
3,742,960
1,483,868
5,386,956
3,120,338
1,099,577
11,286,933
7,782      |
100.0
0.2
3.6
10.5
14.4
23.6
47.5
7,782      |
100.0
3.6
0.7
3.4
6.6
1.4
0.2
1.9
3.8
78.1
3,050,157
3,025,252
4,282,762
18,489,959
528,044
325,484
1,265,907
3,486,693
32,006,988
7,782
100.0
66,461,246
221
274
198
453
212
70
23
81
3,672
2,578
7,782
2.8
3.5
2.5
5.8
2.7
0.8
0.2
1.0
47.1
33.1
100.0
4,430,371
8,848,716
6,346,442
4,628,798
5,810,429
1,445,642
186,768
1,659,474
16,320,978
16,783,628
66,461,246
19.5
10.3
8.4
13.1
17.1
14.7
14.6
2.1
100.0
49.5
15.7
5.3
1.6
4.4
7.7
15.4
100.0
36.6
24.0
5.6
2.2
8.1
4.6
1.6
16.9
66,461,246
100.0
535,924
0.8
3,537,937
5.3
7,370,510
11.0
14,747,795
22.1
24,560,704
36.9
15,708,376
23.6
66,461,246 |        100.0
4.5
4.5
6.4
27.8
0.7
0.4
1.9
5.2
48.1
100.0
6.6
13.3
9.5
6.9
8.7
2.1
0.2
2.4
24.5
25.2
100.0
l Similar information is available for groups of specific property classifications as listed on page  1-4—
Summary of Fire Losses by Property Classifications.
 AA 10 BRITISH COLUMBIA
Fire Loss Statistics for All Fires,11975—Continued
Incidents
Per Cent of
Incidents
Loss
Per Cent of
Loss
Sprinkler protection—
Complete—
Supervised or standard watchman service	
44
15
88
14
52
132
17
1,897
76
5,447
0.5
0.1
1.1
0.1
0.6
1.6
0.2
24.3
0.9
69.9
$
459,915
82,332
316,546
255,613
8,522
621,598
80,408
38,547,546
1,180,199
24,908,567
0.6
0 1
04
Partial—
Supervised or standard watchman service...	
0.3
0 9
0 1
58 0
1 7
37 4
Totals
7,782
100.0
66,461,246
Automatic fire-detection system—
Complete—■
Heat-
Alarm to fire department or central station	
25
47
5
11
23
259
48
104
230
7,030
0.3
0.6
0.1
0.2
3.3
0.6
1.3
2.9
90.3
180,004
570,855
1,050
144,559
71,658
4,096,173
22,510
1,167,940
2,758,079
57,448,418
0.2
0.8
Combustion or smoke—
Alarm to fire department or central station ....
0.2
Partial-
Heat—
Alarm to fire department or central station..  .
0.1
6.1
Combustion or smoke—
Alarm to fire department or central station—
1.7
Unclassified           	
4.1
86.4
Totals                                	
7,782
100.0
66,461,246
100.0
Outside fire protection—
4,096
10
372
87
25
25
290
166
2,711
52.6
0.1
4.7
1.1
0.3
0.3
3.7
2.1
34.8
38,682,890
178,486
6,013,628
965,734
1,805,491
1,020,078
6,435,554
2,350,926
9,008,459
58.2
0.2
9.0
1.4
Private hydrant and no fire department  - -
2.7
1.5
9.6
3.5
13.5
Totals   _ 	
7,782
100.0
66,461,246
100.0
Water supply flow—
377
105
140
369
475
871
362
1,471
41
3,571
4.8
1.3
1.7
4.7
6.1
11.1
4.6
18.9
0.5
45.8
7,974,204
1,680,610
4,215,919
3,199,024
8,728,234
7,640,904
3,969,380
11,567,122
877,480
16,608,369
11.9
Less than 200 gpm                                         ..   .
?nn to 399 gpm
2.5
6.3
■100 to 599 gpm                                           	
4.8
600 t" 799 gpm
13.1
son to 1 199 gpm
11.4
1,200 to 1,599 gpm   .                  .     .              	
5.9
17.4
1.3
Unknown or not applicable	
24.9
Totals
7,782
100.0
66,461,246
100.0
i Similar information is available for groups of specific property classifications  as listed on page  14-
Summary of Fire Losses by Property Classifications.
 REPORT OF THE FIRE MARSHAL, 1975
Fire Loss Statistics for All Fires,11975—Continued
AA ll
Incidents
Per Cent of
Incidents
Loss
Per Cent of
Loss
Size of water-main (inches)—
0	
287
284
15
1,873
1,078
236
171
57
48
3,733
3.6
3.6
0.1
24.0
13.8
3.0
2.1
0.7
0.6
47.9
$
5,179,351
2,406,425
744,600
15,746,332
14,279,813
5,829,443
1,068,857
848,829
451,116
19,906,480
7.7
4
3.6
5
1.1
6
23.6
8
21.4
10
8.7
12 ... .	
1.6
1.2
0.6
Unknown or not applicable	
29.9
Totals	
7,782
100.0
66,461,246
100.0
Fire service—
3,021
1,097
1,425
5
48
17
7
302
50
1,810
38.8
14.0
18.3
0.6
0.2
3.8
0.6
23.2
17,924,016
20,532,751
15,001,128
13,150
163,837
216,600
52,300
6,354,923
1,592,676
4,609,865
26.9
30.8
22.5
Police acting as full-time fire-fighters           _ ~
0.2
0.3
9.5
2.3
Unknown or not applicable 	
6.9
Totals 	
7,782
100.0
66,461,246
100.0
Extinguishment—
952
109
758
3,860
24
33
14
601
1,041
390
12.2
1.4
9.7
49.6
0.3
0.4
0.1
7.7
13.3
5.0
1,784,592
1,111,551
1,053,127
46,264,301
278,767
209,686
64,325
8,209,073
5,978,918
1,506,906
2.6
1.6
1.5
Fire department—
Wr\ter
69.6
0.4
0.3
12.3
8.9
2.2
Totals _	
7,782
100.0
66,461,246
100.0
Level of origin—
532
74
2,691
505
148
87
19
142
131
3,453
6.8
0.9
34.5
6.4
1.9
1.1
0.2
1.8
1.6
44.3
5,256,989
841,960
38,581,520
4,891,079
1,837,428
362,162
337,095
1,052,082
2,569,488
10,731,443
7.9
1.2
58.0
7.3
2.7
4th to 12th storey, inclusive (30-119 feet above grade) -
0.5
0.5
Roof level (includes concealed roof space, attic)	
1.5
3.8
16.1
Totals	
7,782
100.0
66,461,246
100.0
Extent of damage—
Confined to—
1,061
919
467
405
56
1,473
247
131
3,023
13.6
11.8
6.0
5.2
0.7
18.9
3.1
1.6
38.8
2,421,498
1,484,873
1,315,356
2,698,509
164,019
33,995,142
14,026,612
2,346,826
8,008,411
3.6
2.2
1.9
4.0
Roof
0.2
1         51.1
21.1
3.5
|          12.0
Totals
7,782
100.0
66,461,246
100.0
l Similar information is available for groups of specific property classifications as listed on page  14-
Summary of Fire Losses by Property Classifications.
 A A 12 BRITISH COLUMBIA
Fire Loss Statistics for All Fires,11975—Continued
Incidents
Per Cent of
Incidents
Loss
Per Cent of
Loss
Area of origin—
Means of egress-
Assembly area-
Lounge, living-room-
Others	
Function area—
Sleeping	
Kitchen-
Laundry-
Others.	
Storage area inside building-
Service facilities—
Chimney, flue	
Others.	
Service and equipment area-
Structural area—	
Vehicle-
Engine area	
Fuel area	
Passenger area-
Others	
Outside area-
Unknown	
Totals-
Source of ignition—
Heating equipment-
Cooking equipment-
Smokers' material-
Electrical distribution equipment-
Electrical appliances	
Other appliances	
Open flames	
Exposure	
Miscellaneous	
Unknown	
Totals-
Fuel or energy—
Coal, wood-
Fuel oil	
Gasoline	
Natural gas-
Propane.
Smokers' material-
Electricity	
Lightning..
Unclassified-
Unknown or not applicable-
Totals	
Form of heat—
Spark—
Ember-
Electrical..
Static electrical .
Direct Same	
Friction heat-
Hot object, conduction or radiation	
Spontaneous ignition (not incompatible chemicals) _
Heat from smokers' material 	
Unclassified 	
Unknown or not applicable 	
Totals.  	
194
475
67
652
633
90
525
731
94
63
341
486
946
272
517
649
615
432
7,782
525
508
929
829
263
768
1,196
253
2,146
365
7,782
240
1,215
38
1,646
61
1,090
85
875
250
2,282
7,782
2.4
6.1
0.8
8.3
8.1
1.1
6.7
9.3
1.2
0.8
4.3
6.2
12.1
3.4
6.6
8.3
7.9
5.5
$
5,668,186
4,573,883
2,729,805
4,256,131
4,744,773
669,552
9,755,784
10,270,319
176,586
1,177,843
6,157,638
5,855,778
1,033,149
360,819
471,310
2,114,489
4,796,178
1,649,023
100.0
6.7
6.5
11.9
10.6
3.3
9.8
15.3
3.2
27.5
4.6
6,005,141
2,254,053
5,304,183
4,378,925
1,842,976
1,439,985
13,251,685
1,536,388
29,119,485
1,328,425
100.0        | 66,461,246
7,782      I 100.0        | 66,461,246 |
3.0
15.6
0.4
21.1
0.7
14.0
1.0
11.2
3.2
29.3
100.0
3,754,325
7,112,015
176,618
14,644,460
318,049
4,483,181
1,232,102
5,307,499
4,309,664
25,123,333 |
66,461,246
8.5
6.8
4.1
6.4
7.1
1.0
14.6
15.4
0.2
1.7
9.2
8.8
1.5
0.5
0.7
3.1
7.2
2.4
66,461,246 |        100.0
9.0
3.3
7.9
6.5
2.7
2.1
19.9
2.3
43.8
1.9
100.0
100.0
5.6
10.7
0.2
22.0
0.4
6.7
1.8
7.9
6.4
37.8
100.0
i Similar information is available for groups of specific property classifications as listed on page  14-
Summary of Fire Losses by Property Classifications.
 REPORT OF THE FIRE MARSHAL,  1975
Fire Loss Statistics for All Fires,11975—Continued
AA 13
Incidents
Per Cent of
Incidents
Loss
Per Cent of
Loss
Material first ignited—
Structural components..
Furniture, furnishings-
Clothing, textiles..
Wood, paper-
Flammable liquids.-
Flammable gases—
Chemicals	
Agricultural, forestry products-
Miscellaneous	
Totals-
Act or omission-
Incendiary..
Misuse of source of ignition-
Misuse of material ignited
Mechanical or electrical failure-
Construction deficiency.	
Misuse of equipment	
Human failing-
Vehicle accident-
Miscellaneous	
Unknown	
Totals..
1,186
1,110
255
979
1,588
179
86
174
2,225
7,782
1,729
1,106
423
1,966
181
80
644
130
1,170
353
7,782
15.2
14.2
3.2
12.5
20.4
2.3
1.1
2.2
28.5
13,580,576
5,674,302
1,549,184
11,695,789
7,270,580
2,627,964
854,463
1,000,686
22,207,702
100.0        | 66,461,246
22.2
14.2
5.4
25.2
2.3
1.0
8.2
1.6
15.0
4.5
100.0
15,869,428
7,170,250
4,397,351
10,913,076
1,210,610
463,409
3,851,844
518,384
20,706,149
1,360,745
66,461,246
20.4
8.5
2.3
17.5
10.9
3.9
1.2
1.5
33.4
100.0
23.8
10.7
6.6
16.4
1.8
0.6
5.7
0.7
31.1
2.0
100.0
i Similar information is available for groups of specific property classifications  as listed on page  14—
Summary of Fire Losses by Property Classifications.
 AA 14
BRITISH COLUMBIA
58
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222
COOOQi
 REPORT OF THE FIRE MARSHAL,  1975
Fire Losses of $250,000 and Over, 1975
AA 15
Date
Municipality
Occupancy
Cause
Loss
02-22-
02-05...
04-16...
04-07-.
04-18...
05-22...
05-08...
05-15...
05-31...
05-21...
05-02.-
05-14-
05-25...
05-08...
05-26..
06-21...
06-13..
07-02...
07-21...
07-20...
08-07...
08-14.
08-16..
09-18...
09-28-
09-25...
09-30-
10-12..
10-09....
10-24....
10-12...
11-15-
11-27....
12-21...
12-21-
12-07-
Williams Lake-
Richmond	
Yale County-
Nanaimo County-
Penticton	
Vancouver	
Enderby..
Salmon Arm	
Squamish..
Powell River	
Delta.  _.
North Vancouver-
North Vancouver-
Terrace	
Ashcroft	
Victoria-
Nelson	
Port Hardy	
Mission 	
Oliver	
Yale County	
Cariboo County
Vancouver	
Vancouver	
Prince George....
Yale County	
Merritt	
Prince Rupert County-
Vancouver County	
Burnaby	
Prince George	
Houston  	
Langley.—	
Yale County..
Surrey-
Grand Forks	
Supermarket-
Elementary school	
Sawmill, planing-mill..
Sawmill, planing-mill-
Elementary school	
Restaurant 	
Junior high, intermediate school-
Miscellaneous mercantile!	
Marine passenger terminal	
Builders' supply sales	
Machinery-
General warehouse—
Sawmill, planing-mill..
General warehouse	
Arena, stadium	
Hotel, year-round use 	
Junior high, intermediate school-
Apartment, over 20 units, with
or without business  _.
Sawmill, planing-mill	
Furniture store	
Fruit, vegetable packing	
LP gas tanks	
Apartment,   one-   or   two-units
with business	
Hotel, seasonal use (in season) _.
Machinery	
Elementary school  	
Variety store (large)	
Motor-vehicle manufacturing and
assembly  	
School,  college, university dormitory-
Freight terminal-
Elementary school-
Apartment, over 20 units-
Elementary school-
Restaurant	
Elementary school-
Hardware store	
Miscellaneous act or omission !~
Criminal offence	
Miscellaneous act or omission!—
Miscellaneous act or omissioni—
Criminal offence 	
Incendiarisms	
Fuel spilled accidentally-
Arson or other fires*	
Miscellaneous act or omission!
Disposal of smokers' materii
Welding or cutting too close	
Miscellaneous act or omission!—
Miscellaneous act or omission!	
Miscellaneous act or omission!—
Mischief, vandalism; no charges
laid	
Human failing!	
Incendiarisms	
Criminal offence-
Welding or cutting too close-
Child playing with fire-
Miscellaneous act or omissioni-
Part failure, leak, breaks	
Incendiarisms  	
Incendiarisms	
Miscellaneous act or omissioni-
Arson or other fires!	
Lack of maintenance	
Mechanical  and  electrical failure!   	
Criminal offence	
Part failure, leak, break:	
Mischief, vandalism; no charges
laid   	
Inadequate  control  of  "open"
fire	
Criminal offence  	
Miscellaneous act or omission!—
Miscellaneous act or omission!—
Criminal offence _ 	
1,200,000
465,203
700,000
1,000,000
1,050,000
263,500
1,000,000
645,000
706,604
260,592
250,000
1,331,125
1,700,000
572,174
320,000
250,000
275,000
365,359
450,000
500,000
800,000
250,000
264,000
340,000
483,610
500,000
450,000
732,000
297,000
535,500
500,000
350,000
600,000
250,000
450,000
570,000
1 Unclassified or unknown.       s Or suspected incendiarism (no charges laid).
Major Causes of Fires Resulting in Death, 1975
Cause
Men
Women
Children
Total
Careless use nf smoking materials
31
4
1
5
5
2
1
1
3
1
17
15
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
6
3
7
4
2
1
"l
8
49
Automobile accidents
12
Flpctriral
6
Wood-fired stove and space heater.	
6
Grain terminal explosion
5
flil stove
4
Overheated grease- 	
Gas stove
4
4
Suicide    ....
4
Propane leak 	
Other                                        	
4
31
Totals           	
70
32
27
129
 AA 16
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Fire Casualties by Month, 1975
Month
Injuries
Deaths
Male
Female
Total
Male
Female
Total
January
15
17
19
18
14
25
14
11
11
24
19
17
2
8
9
3
4
4
7
4
10
5
7
8
17
25
28
21
18
29
21
15
21
29
26
25
7
3
7
10
7
9
7
6
4
9
5
7
3
2
2
5
2
6
7
6
3
5
~7
10
February
5
March
9
April
15
May
9
June
15
July.
14
August
12
Septemhp.r
7
Octoher
14
5
14
Totals	
204
71
275
81
48
129
Day
Sunday 	
Monday _
Tuesday 	
Wednesday
Thursday _
Friday 	
Saturday 	
Fire Casualties by Day of Week, 1975
Dead Injured
    22 32
      7 30
     22 36
14 40
14 32
20 51
30 54
275
Totals
129
Age
Unknown 	
Under 2	
2-10 years —
11-18 years —
19-70 years _
Over 70 years
Fire Casualties by Age, 1975
eaths
Injuries
l
17
5
2
13
8
12
22
84
216
14
10
Totals
129
275
 REPORT OF THE FIRE MARSHAL,  1975
AA 17
Circumstances Contributing to Fire Casualties, 1975
Condition of casualty—
Asleep at time of fire
Deaths Injuries
Bedridden or other handicap
Impairment by alcohol 	
Impairment by drugs
Under restraint or detention
Too young to act .
Left unattended (children)
Unclassified	
Unknown or not applicable	
Totals	
35
7
27
2
25
28
Action of casualty—
Injured while attempting to escape.   13
Overexertion or heart attack      1
Volunteer entered—
Remained for rescue purpose       2
Remained for fire-fighting _
Remained to save property
Loss of judgment or panic	
Received delayed warning	
Unclassified
Unknown or not applicable    51
45
2
16
6
1
4
4
77
120
129       275
50
1
16
69
5
13
8
56
57
Type of fabric or material ignited—
Cotton	
Wool	
Other natural fibre	
Other synthetic fibre	
Mixed fibres .	
Plastic foam	
Unclassified	
Deaths Injuries
Unknown or not applicable .
Totals — 	
23
2
1
5
7
"22
69
16
6
8
9
2
10
224
129   275
Cause of failure to escape—
Trapped—
Vertical spread of fire/smoke	
Horizontal spread of fire/smoke_
High flame spread—combustible interior finish .	
Falling debris 	
Explosion   	
Exit blocked or obstructed by fire-
Outdoor fire	
Unclassified	
Totals
129       275
Unknown or not applicable
Totals	
18
4
20
5
13
5
	
3
14
35
9
1
26
4
~33
28
186
129       275
Ignition of clothing or other fabrics—
Outer clothing	
Sleepwear	
Underclothing
Bedding or bed linen -
Mattress or pillow	
Upholstered furniture
Unclassified	
Unknown or not applicable
23
20
3
10
4
4
13
52
41
9
1
10
8
6
7
193
Totals
129
275
 AA 18
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Fire Crime Statistics, 1975
Motive
Unknown
Insurance
Fraud
Revenge
Cover
Crime
Mischief
Mental
Total
Incendiary, suspected or known—
1,266
594
188
484
90
11
390
22
72
25
137
489
27
745
203
7
305
5
1
1,185
45
8
26
2
35
9
18
7
2
2
3
2
1
4
3
3
1
1
6
6
20
11
2
1
1
8
1
4
2
3
15
3
7
8
1
1
6
7
3
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
426
93
127
206
70
104
12
16
4
39
159
20
174
47
7
188
10
349
4
68
5
4
24
2
39
17
7
15
4
7
14
2
1
2
7
2
10
4
25
3
17
10
5
4
9
2
1,761
718
Time—
0001-0800	
0801-1600   - -                  .          -
326
1601-0000        .  .
717
Property—
Assembly.—	
165
18
519
Office            	
34
91
30
180
Vehicles, outside areas    	
664
49
Incendiary method—
935
261
14
535
Other
15
1
Persons involved—
1,544
79
26
100
12
Persons charged—
60
18
42
2
62
6
13        |    ....
30
»
122
Offences cleared—
62
11
1,193
10
3
60
4
6
1
6
2
4
13
3
4
8
6
4
9
1
3
30
42
354
6
~28
22
6
4
2
11
24
4
1
9
1
3
3
4
1
122
Other
80
1,559
Disposition of charge—
25
3
109
4
Stay of proceedings
1
Authority for charge—
Criminal Code—
Sec. 387      	
15
43
2
4
3
11
46
Sec. 389 (1)	
65
Sec. 389 (2) -	
2
Sec. 390	
Sec. 392(1)-
13
4
Other.	
13
 REPORT OF THE FIRE MARSHAL, 1975
AA 19
Inspections and Orders by Local Assistant Fire Marshals, 1975
CITY MUNICIPALITIES (32)
Inspections
Orders
21
1,096
5
1,821
4
268
„
148
2
86
~43
2,782
575
610
143
1,262
198
.
556
2
Inspections
Orders
5,884
3
2,983
19
1,699
7
230
1
433
624
	
149
1
238
'  311
27,301
416
1,848
6,073
29
421
Armstrong—
Chilliwack	
Courtenay.—
Cranbrook—
Dawson Creek-
Duncan	
Enderby.	
Fernie	
Grand Forks-
Greenwood	
Kamloops	
Kelowna	
Kimberley	
Langley.	
Nanaimo	
Fort St. John-
Nelson	
New Westminster-
North Vancouver...
Penticton	
Port Alberni	
Port Coquitlam..
Port Moody.	
Prince George-
Prince Rupert	
Revelstoke	
Rossland	
Trail _
Vancouver....
Vernon	
Victoria	
White RockL.
Totals-
57,617
675
DISTRICT MUNICIPALITIES (38)
37
1,070
95
480
414
1,040
304
17
435
~12
43
2,846
18
1,898
3,541
310
27
40
43
293
5,499
677
916
3
Oak Bay 	
Peachland.	
14
Delta
742
1
1
1
Kent.....	
2
31
288
332
398
353
1
Surrey.	
Terrace	
3
North Cowichan 	
20,993
1,232
 AA 20
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Inspections and Orders by Local Assistant Fire Marshals, 1975—Continued
VILLAGE MUNICIPALITIES (59)
Inspections
Orders
Inspections
Orders
	
~2
Montrose	
Nakusp   	
37
2
20
126
12
17
1
2
100 Mile House..	
Parksville	
3
Elkford
Port Edward
	
Port McNeilL	
Salmo
21
24
10
81
6
Sechelt
Slocan
South Fort George.    	
Tahsis
Taylor
Telkwa
Tofino	
Lumby.	
Lytton	
Warfield           	
Zeballos	
Midway.          	
358
6
TOWN MUNICIPALITIES (10)
104
4
33
156
Sidney..	
Smithers	
Williams Lake _	
Golden..	
85
34
1
Ladysmith-	
412
4
FIRE DISTRICTS (15)
Cariboo, County of.	
Colwood	
loco	
Kootenay, County of.	
Langford	
Nanaimo, County of.	
Ocean Falls	
Prince Rupert, County of
14
25
128
Sooke..
University Area-
Vancouver, County of„
Victoria, County of	
View Royal-
Westminster, County of_
Yale, County of	
Totals-
1,079
141
38
222
1,>S47
Inspections   Orders
Grand totals,
Grand totals,
Grand totals,
Grand totals,
Grand totals,
Grand totals,
Grand totals,
Grand totals, 1968
Grand totals, 1967
Grand totals, 1966
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
1970
1969
81,027
1,920
91,418
1,544
87,266
1,686
63,940
888
84,104
588
81,056
92
77,927
197
92,074
172
85,969
529
84,874
603
 REPORT OF THE FIRE MARSHAL, 1975
10-year Property Fire Loss Comparison, 1966-75
AA 21
19.56
1967
1968
1969
1970
(1) Number of fires..
(2) Loss-
(3) Loss per fire (2) -i- (1)	
(4) Population (thousands) *	
(5) Per capita fires [(1) -r- (4)] X 1,000..
(6) Percapitaloss (2) -=- (4)	
(7) Adjustment Factor (A) 2..
(8) Adjusted per capita loss (a) (6) -f- (7)..
(9) CPI Adjustment Factor (B) 2_
(10) Adjusted per capita loss (b) (6) -=- (9)..
(11) Fire fatalities	
6,903
$23,145,579
$3,353
1,873.7
3.68
$12.35
.699
$17.67
.843
$14.65
70
6,934
$21,490,053
$3,099
1,945.0
3.57
$11.05
.746
$14.81
.874
$12.64
106
7,010
$21,116,871
$3,012
2,003.0
3.50
$10.54
.799
$13.19
.906
$11.63
100
7,602
$27,514,446
$3,619
2,060.0
3.69
$13.36
.851
$15.70
.937
$14.26
87
7,546
$34,561,074
$4,580
2,128.0
3.55
$16.24
.912
$17.81
.969
$16.76
104
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
(1) Number of fires-
(2) Loss-
(3) Loss per fire (2) -j- (1)	
(4) Population (thousands)l	
(5) Per capita fires [(1) -=- (4)] X 1,000..
(6) Per capita loss (2) ■- (4)	
(7) Adjustment Factor (A) 2..
7,454 8,120
$34,716,758 $37,389,116
(8) Adjusted per capita loss (A) (6) -=- (7)..
(9) CPI Adjustment Factor (b)s	
(10) Adjusted per capita loss (b) (6) -~ (9)..
(11) Fire fatalities  	
$4,657
2,184.6
3.41
$15.89
1.000
$15.89
1.000
$15.89
153
$4,605
2,241.4
3.62
$16.68
1.101
$15.15
1.040
$16.04
100
7,613
$45,693,116
$6,002
2,302.4
3.31
$19.85
1.232
$16.11
1.110
$17.88
116
7,526
$62,842,182
$8,350
2,375.7
3.17
$26.45
1.347
$19.64
1.239
$21.35
129
7,782
$66,461,246
$8,540
2,433.2
3.20
$27.31
1.440
$18.97
1.377
$19.84
129
i Population statistics were provided by Statistics Canada. The figures for 1966 and 1971 are actual census
figures. The others are estimates by Statistics Canada.
2 Adjustment Factor: In an effort to get a more realistic picture of losses over the years, some form of
adjustment factors were necessary to take inflation into consideration.  We chose
(a) the B.C. Residential Building Construction Input Price Index, as provided by the Central Mortgage
and Housing Corp., using 1971 as a base of 1.000; and
(b) Consumer Price Index for Vancouver with 1971 — 1.000.
 AA 22
BRITISH COLUMBIA
NUMBER OF FIRES. 1966-75
£      8,000
66
70 71
Chart I
FIRES PER CAPITA, I96M5
<
 REPORT OF THE FIRE MARSHAL, 1975
AA 23
ANNUAL FIRE DOLLAR LOSS. 1966-75
70 7J
Chart 3
 AA 24
BRITISH COLUMBIA
AVERAGE DOLLAR LOSS PER FIRE. 1966-75
<
O
a
o
<
66
68
70 71
Chart 4
72
73
 REPORT OF THE FIRE MARSHAL, 1975
AA 25
ACTUAL AND ADJUSTED PER CAPITA FIRE LOSS (DOLLARS), 1966-75
OS
<
O
□
Adjusted Per
Capita Loss A
68 69
70 71
Chart5
72
73
74
75
 AA 26
BRITISH COLUMBIA
FIRE FATALITIES. 1966-75
70 71
Chart 6
Printed by K. M. MacDonald, Printer to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty
in right of the Pro\dnce of British Columbia.
1978
530-178-6818