Deadly residential fires surged to nearly a decade high in North Carolina, a surge that comes as delayed federal funding pinches fire-safety education and firefighter training.
There were 159 civilian fire deaths in 2025, including multiple fatalities in single fires, according to state data. That’s a nine-year high, and it reverses several years of declining fatalities. The increase was due in part to cases involving missing or broken smoke alarms. Already in 2026, there have been at least 33 fire fatalities, according to state data.
Other WRAL Top Stories
State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor said his office relies on a combination of federal and state dollars to support local fire departments with training, marketing and smoke alarm distribution. But he says delays in federal grants have stalled an expected $500,000, which is now limiting the office in carrying out its mission.
“Anytime you lose money it hurts the program,” Taylor said. “Still have state funds, still can educate,” but fewer dollars mean “less giving out free smoke alarms to people who need them.”
The federal funding, which typically comes in the form of reimbursements through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants program, has not yet opened its 2025 application cycle. Taylor said federal shutdown delays have slowed the process.
WRAL reached out to FEMA asking when applications will be open. They didn't immediately respond.
The $500,000 federal allocation primarily supports statewide firefighter training, smoke alarm distribution and marketing campaigns.
Many of the fire fatalities happened in homes with broken smoke alarms. Building materials can also play a role.
“Where we had, 30 years ago, 12 minutes to evacuate, we have less than two minutes because of the synthetic material that our furnishings are made out of today,” Taylor said.
Heating equipment during winter months, discarded smoking materials and electrical overloads remain leading causes of deadly fires. Lithium battery fires are also increasing.
Taylor said legislative support has helped expand fire investigations and community risk reduction efforts, but continued federal support remains critical to sustaining training and prevention campaigns statewide.
“The most important thing residents can do is ensure a working smoke alarm on each level of their home and have a plan to escape quickly,” he said. “Not only having a working smoke alarm, but it's important to have a plan.”