China Reports 17.8% Drop in Fires, No Major Incidents

China’s fire safety situation has remained generally stable this year, with the country recording 452,000 fires and 886 deaths as of June 14 — representing year-on-year decreases of 17.8% and 14.8% respectively, according to CCTV News. Notably, no major or particularly serious fire accidents have occurred nationwide.

Wang Tianrui, spokesperson for the National Fire and Rescue Administration and Deputy Director of its Fire Supervision Department, announced the figures at a routine press conference on June 17. He confirmed that major fire incidents fell by 41.2% to just 20 cases, with no incidents reaching the threshold for “major” or “particularly serious” classification.

Context: A Sustained Improvement

The improvements reflect the cumulative impact of ongoing policy initiatives, including the “Four Promotions and Two Deepenings” framework — which targets hot work operations, external insulation materials, kitchen exhaust ducts, and nursing homes, while deepening rectification campaigns for electric bicycles and high-rise buildings.

According to China News Service, the National Fire and Rescue Administration has deployed 11.996 million person-times and 2.193 million vehicle-times this year, rescuing 88,000 people. The agency emphasized that “fire safety is always an ongoing journey, allowing no room for the slightest slackening.”

Key Policy Focus Areas

At the press conference, Wang outlined six priority areas for fire prevention efforts. For high-rise buildings, the administration plans to launch a nationwide campaign under the State Council Safety Committee to address critical issues including paralyzed fire facilities, unattended control rooms, dry fire water pipes, inadequate fire separation, and blocked fire access routes.

For small food establishments, authorities are mandating regular cleaning of kitchen exhaust ducts, encouraging the addition of secondary emergency exits, and requiring the removal of防盗网 (security grilles) and advertising boards that block escape routes.

A related China News Service report detailed the administration’s commitment to “resolutely rectify prominent problems” in fire safety infrastructure, particularly in high-rise buildings.

The Human Factor: Lessons from Qiqihar

Wang highlighted the critical importance of human preparedness, stating: “Above all, human prevention is key. The elderly in nursing homes are a special group; ensuring their immediate evacuation in emergencies is the fundamental principle.”

He cited a tragic case from February 2, 2026, when a fire at the Fanghua Yiyang Nursing Home in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province, killed five elderly residents. According to Phoenix News, the fire was determined to be an arson case. The floor where the fire occurred housed 28 elderly residents but only two caregivers — aged 53 and 63 — were on duty. The caregivers were unable to evacuate all residents, the facility did not organize evacuation procedures, and no one entered the deceased residents’ rooms to rescue them.

Wang described this as a “profound lesson,” emphasizing that staffing levels and evacuation training at nursing homes require urgent attention.

Grassroots Fire Protection Push

On May 13, the State Council Safety Committee Office, Ministry of Emergency Management, and National Fire and Rescue Administration jointly held a meeting to implement the “Opinions on Strengthening Grassroots Fire Protection Work” issued by the State Council General Office. The document represents a major policy push to strengthen fire prevention at the grassroots level, with provinces responsible for overall planning and cities and counties responsible for implementation.

Remaining Challenges

Despite the positive trend, several challenges persist. High-rise building fire safety remains a concern, with plans for a nationwide inspection campaign. Small commercial premises operating under the “shop-front, living-rear” model continue to pose risks. And as the Qiqihar case demonstrated, nursing home fire safety — particularly staffing and evacuation capabilities — remains a critical vulnerability.

Wang acknowledged these challenges directly: “Fire safety is always an ongoing journey, allowing no room for the slightest slackening.”

What to Watch For

The coming months will test whether the positive trend can be sustained, particularly during the winter season when fire risks typically increase. The effectiveness of the planned high-rise building inspection campaign, the implementation of grassroots fire protection policies, and concrete improvements in nursing home safety will be key indicators of whether China’s fire safety gains are durable.