The following is a release from the Washington State Fire Marshall’s office:

For the third consecutive year, Washington State has continued to see a decrease in fire-related fatalities, with a total of 45 fatalities reported in 2014. Fire-related fatality figures in 2013 were 54 and in 2012 were 63. The data used for this report was received from fire and law enforcement agencies throughout Washington State. It was then collected into a centralized database for analysis and report development in accordance with the Revised Code of Washington 43.44.060.

The 2014 Washington State Fire Fatality Report is now available on the web at www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/firemars.htm. Considering 89 percent of fire fatalities occurred in residential occupancies last year, knowing how to be safe in the event of a house fire is vital.

“In as little as two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. We want to raise awareness about the dangers and frequency of home fire deaths.  How we and our communities fare in a fire emergency depends heavily on the planning and preparation that we put into practice,” said State Fire Marshal Chuck Duffy.

To learn how to prevent home fires, visit the U.S. Fire Administration website at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/index.html.