Deaths caused by fires in Germany:

• Each year 600 people die in fires in Germany, 6000 are seriously injured.
• The European average is 13 deaths per million inhabitants per year.
• 75% of victims die in the home.
• Smoke poisoning is by far the most significant cause of death.

Economic damages caused by fires (numbers for Germany, year 2000):

• Economic damage amounts to about 6000 million €.
• Insurance companies paid out 1 500 million €.
• About 100 000 fire cases were reported to insurers.
• Around 200 of these caused damage of more than 0.5 million Euro.
• The running costs for fire brigades are about 4 000 million €.