Fewer fires, new hazardsUpdated 17 October 2026
Trend summary
- Fires in shops, offices, factories and other non-home buildings are a minority of Canada’s structure fires. When they go wrong, it is often in older or misused buildings.
- In the jurisdictions that report national fire data, structural fires fell from 17,132 in 2015 to 15,986 in 2021; about 3 in 10 were non-residential.
- British Columbia recorded 80 fire deaths in 2024, up 29%, and more than $663 million in fire losses.
- Lithium-ion batteries are now a cause of building fires too: Toronto’s count rose 162% in two years.
15,986structural fires in 2021 (reporting jurisdictions)
~3 in 10structural fires that were non-residential
+162%lithium-ion battery fires in Toronto, 2022 to 2024
7deaths in the Old Montreal fire, March 2023
What the numbers show
Statistics Canada’s National Fire Information Database covers Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia, Yukon and Canadian Armed Forces bases. Structural fires there fell from 17,132 in 2015 to 15,168 in 2020, then rose to 15,986 in 2021. They were 42% of all fire incidents, and about seven in ten were residential, so roughly three in ten were in commercial, industrial, institutional and other buildings. National data stop at 2021.
British Columbia publishes newer figures. In 2024 it recorded 12,072 fires and 4,063 structure fires, of which about 880 were non-residential, with 80 fire deaths and more than $663 million in losses. Police-reported arson adds to the toll: about 9,500 incidents a year in 2012-2021, with the rate up 12% in 2021.
What is driving it
Two things stand out. The first is how older buildings are used. In Old Montreal, six of the seven people who died in March 2023 were staying in illegal short-term rentals in a 15-unit heritage building; in March 2026 the owner was charged with seven counts of manslaughter (CP24). The second is batteries: Toronto recorded 29 lithium-ion battery fires in 2022, 55 in 2023 and 76 in 2024, including a high-rise fire with multiple injuries.
Rules are catching up slowly. The 2025 editions of the National Building Code and National Fire Code were released in December 2025; provinces adopt them on their own timetables.
Recent cases
- 18 March 2026: the owner of the Old Montreal building where seven people died is arrested and charged with manslaughter and criminal negligence (CP24).
- December 2025: the 2025 National Model Codes are published, with free electronic versions from the National Research Council (Mechanical Business).
- 7 July 2025: the City of Toronto warns residents after battery fires rose 38% in 2024 (City of Toronto).
Press releases and official reports, 2023–2026
Five key releases a year for the last four years, newest first. Most come from federal departments and agencies, the Transportation Safety Board, Statistics Canada and provincial governments; a few news and trade reports are included where they are the clearest public record of an event. Releases from 2007–2022 are in the expandable list after 2023.
2026
- 22 Sep 2026Canadian UnderwriterSolar farm fire in P.E.I. is out after batteries burned for two weeks: city officials
- 5 Aug 2026Global NewsToronto shelter fire caused by lithium-ion batteries, fire chief says
- 21 May 2026CP2410 fires in Ottawa so far this year linked to lithium-ion batteries
- 18 Mar 2026CP24Owner facing 15 charges after Old Montreal fire that killed 7, including guests in illegal Airbnbs
- 5 Jan 2026MechBizCanada's 2025 National Model Codes now available
2025
- 11 Nov 2025Global News1 dead, 4 hospitalized after apartment fire in Mississauga
- 7 Jul 2025City of TorontoCity of Toronto reminds residents about lithium-ion battery safety after 38 per cent increase in related fires
- 22 May 2025CBCLithium-ion battery fires on the rise in Montreal, fire service warns
- 25 Apr 2025CP24One dead after industrial accident in Mississauga: paramedics
- 10 Jan 2025City of Red Deer (RCMP)Red Deer RCMP on scene of fire Red Deer – update
2024
- 8 Oct 2024Global NewsPublic inquiry ordered into Old Montreal fire that killed mom, daughter
- 4 Sep 2024NRCThe National Research Council of Canada launches consultations to study single egress design in residential buildings
- 24 Jun 2024Canadian Consulting EngineerConversation: Building code updates for mass timber
- 22 Jan 2024Canadian UnderwriterDecade after fatal fire, some Quebec seniors' residences unable to install sprinklers
- 10 Jan 2024AIBCMass Timber Construction: Technical Review of Proposed Code Changes
2023
- 26 Jun 2023Canadian Wood CouncilNew Report Reinforces Safety of Mass Timber
- 8 Jun 2023Statistics CanadaFire incidents increase during the pandemic
- 6 Apr 2023Fire EngineeringChief Coroner of Quebec (Canada) Launches Inquiry into Fatal AirBNB Fire
- 13 Jan 2023CBCWorker injured in industrial explosion and fire in St. Catharines, Ont., has died
- 3 Jan 2023Global NewsOFM reveals 133 fire related deaths in Ontario for 2022, highest in two decades
View 20 years of major Canadian building fire press releases (2007–2026)77 more from 2007–2022, up to five a year, newest first
2022
- 9 Dec 2022Statistics CanadaPolice-reported arson and fire-related homicide in Canada
- 22 Nov 2022NRCGovernment of Canada announces new collaborative approach for National Model Codes
- 11 Oct 2022CTV NewsOntario on track to surpass last year's fire deaths, fire marshal warns
- 3 May 2022Statistics CanadaNational Fire Information Database, 2015 to 2021
- 28 Mar 2022NRCNew! Latest editions of the National Model Codes now available
2021
- 10 Nov 2021Canadian UnderwriterToo little, too late? The devastating consequences of natural disasters must inform building codes
- 19 Oct 2021Canadian UnderwriterHow coffee whitener and aluminum dust can pose a fire risk
- 28 Sep 2021Canadian UnderwriterOntario government offers to help Wheatley recover from massive explosion
- 24 Feb 2021Canadian UnderwriterProbe points to discarded smoking materials as likely cause of B.C. apartment building fire
- 11 Feb 2021Electrical Industry News WeekCSA Group Now Distributes National Model Codes of Canada
2020
- 27 Jul 2020Canadian UnderwriterMultiple townhouse units damaged in Hamilton fire
- 9 Jul 2020Canadian UnderwriterThree found dead after downtown motel fire in Prince George, B.C
- 16 May 2020Fire Fighting in CanadaOntario: Increase in fires, fire fatalities, during COVID-19
- 3 Feb 2020Fire Fighting in CanadaAn old report brings perspective on fires 100 years ago and now
2019
- 10 Dec 2019Canadian UnderwriterWhy this $3-million subrogated fire claim against corporate tenant failed
- 24 Oct 2019Canadian UnderwriterWhat surprised forensic engineers about massive Toronto propane explosions
- 5 Mar 2019Canadian UnderwriterOne simple way to reduce the severity of barn fires
- 25 Feb 2019Canadian UnderwriterHow fatal Nova Scotia fire could change national building code
- 24 Jan 2019Canadian UnderwriterInsurer involvement urged in the building code process
2018
- 8 Oct 2018Canadian UnderwriterMandatory building fire risk labels proposed
- 6 Sep 2018Fire Fighting in CanadaThe Life-Saving Power Of Sprinklers
- 6 Sep 2018Canadian UnderwriterDebris blown into air as explosions and fire rock Alberta industrial park
- 5 Sep 2018Fire Fighting in CanadaNew study shows sprinklers save lives
- 3 Apr 2018Canadian UnderwriterBid for taller wood structures raises red flag for one insurer
2017
- 20 Sep 2017Statistics CanadaNational Fire Information Database, 2005 to 2014
- 15 Mar 2017Canadian UnderwriterExplosion, fire hit Alberta Syncrude oilsands site
- 1 Mar 2017Canadian UnderwriterAcetylene explosion at Newfoundland refinery results in mischief charges
- 28 Feb 2017Canadian UnderwriterIBC congratulates federal government on National Research Council decision to update Canada's building codes
- 15 Feb 2017Canadian UnderwriterBuildings evacuated after massive fire breaks out in midtown Toronto
2016
- 6 Dec 2016Canadian Consulting EngineerNRC to hold seminars on Building Code Changes
- 28 Jun 2016NRCSome 600 changes introduced in the 2015 editions of the National Building, Fire and Plumbing Codes
- 31 May 2016Canadian UnderwriterNational model building code should account for anticipated climate change: Auditor General report
- 25 Jan 2016Canadian UnderwriterSunrise Propane and its directors fined $5.3M in 2008 deadly propane explosion
- 20 Jan 2016Canadian UnderwriterManitoba announces changes to building and fire codes
2015
- 14 Dec 2015Canadian UnderwriterNo criminal charges from fatal L’Isle-Verte, Quebec seniors’ residence fire
- 31 Mar 2015Canadian UnderwriterSunrise Propane lawyer asks court to revisit some convictions in 2008 blast
- 17 Mar 2015Canadian UnderwriterManitoba to install sprinklers in personal care homes following fatal fire last year
- 12 Feb 2015Canadian UnderwriterQuebec should mandate sprinklers in seniors’ homes, regroup firefighter services: Coroner
- 21 Jan 2015Canadian UnderwriterChanges slow to come as Quebec town prepares to mark first anniversary of seniors’ home blaze
2014
- 29 Oct 2014ISHNWorkplace blast kills worker in Ontario, Canada
- 19 Aug 2014TSBTSB identifies systemic problems leading to Lac-Mégantic train accident and calls for additional safety defences to improve rail safety
- 12 Aug 2014Canadian UnderwriterCo-owner of Quebec seniors’ residence where 32 died wants inquiry into fire
- 24 Jan 2014CBCL'Isle-Verte seniors' home fire raises ire over sprinkler regulation
- 23 Jan 2014CTV NewsDeath toll in Que. retirement home fire rises to 5
2013
- Oct 2013Alberta OFCAlberta Fire Commissioner's Statistical Report 2011-2012
- 27 Jun 2013CTV NewsSunrise Propane found guilty in massive 2008 Toronto explosion
- 9 May 2013Fire Fighting in CanadaMandatory sprinklers among fire code changes
- 6 May 2013Canadian UnderwriterOntario government to mandate sprinklers in retirement homes
- 24 Jan 2013Fire Fighting in CanadaMandatory sprinklers among proposed building code changes
2012
- 26 Jul 2012Canadian UnderwriterSunrise Propane explosion in Toronto causes more than $25 million in property damage: lawsuit
- 1 Jun 2012Canadian UnderwriterTaking Cover
- 25 Apr 2012Canadian UnderwriterSawmill explosion in B.C. hits beleaguered industry
- 14 Feb 2012Fire Fighting in CanadaThe wood-frame conundrum
- 24 Jan 2012Canadian UnderwriterDeadly B.C. sawmill explosion causes estimated loss of between $25 million and $100 million
2011
- 26 Oct 2011Canadian UnderwriterNew Brunswick landlords, Moncton fire chief encourage apartment tenants to purchase insurance: CBC report
- 30 Sep 2011Canadian UnderwriterLarge Loss
- Aug 2011Alberta OFCAlberta Fire Commissioner's Statistical Report 2009
- 8 Jul 2011Canadian UnderwriterFire destroys office building of B.C. Yacht Insurance Brokers
- 24 May 2011Government of SaskatchewanRECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFE BUILDINGS
2010
- 15 Sep 2010Canadian UnderwriterCanadian insurers urged to help stop municipal cuts from negatively affecting fire services
- 5 Aug 2010Canadian UnderwriterTank-to-tank transfer caused explosion at Sunrise Propane, Globe & Mail reports
- Jun 2010Alberta OFCAlberta Fire Commissioner's Statistical Report 2007
- 25 May 2010Canadian UnderwriterFour-alarm fire causes more than $600,000 damage in Toronto
- 31 Jan 2010Canadian UnderwriterTaking Care Of Business: Commercial Loss Considerations
2009
- 30 Nov 2009Canadian UnderwriterSeeing-Eye Technology
- 13 Nov 2009Canadian UnderwriterSubrogation in fire cases
- 11 Sep 2009Canadian UnderwriterCanadian P&C industry may have role to play in discussion of building codes: ICLR
- 31 Jul 2009Canadian UnderwriterSpotlight On Site Security
- 31 Jul 2009Canadian UnderwriterNo Compromise
2008
- 30 Sep 2008Canadian UnderwriterExplosive Claims
- 30 Sep 2008Canadian UnderwriterHazards of Propane
- 31 Aug 2008Canadian UnderwriterExploding Fortunes
- 31 Mar 2008Canadian UnderwriterFire Scene Safety for Adjusters
- 16 Jan 2008Canadian UnderwriterFire chief lobbies for mandatory residential sprinkler systems
2007
- 25 Jul 2007Canadian UnderwriterWhat's New: In Brief (July 25, 2007)
- 23 Jul 2007Canadian UnderwriterEdmonton fire causes massive property damage
- 12 Jun 2007Canadian UnderwriterWhat's New: In Brief (June 12, 2007)
Some early years list fewer than five items. Many Canadian government releases from that period are no longer online at their original addresses, and we only list items we could open and check. Where a page shows no date, the date comes from the release address or the publisher’s own index.
Photo list
How this page is built. Figures come from the official statistical releases linked above; where agencies publish provisional numbers we say so, because they are revised. Canadian statistics are often collected by provinces and territories, and some national series run several years behind, so we say which area and year each figure covers. Photos are public-domain or Creative Commons images credited in each caption; file photos are illustrative and are not from the events described unless the caption says so. This page tracks trends and is not personal safety, medical, legal or financial advice.