What is the most common cause of death in house fires?

The most common cause of death in house fires is smoke inhalation. When a fire occurs, it produces smoke that contains a variety of toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide, along with particulate matter. Victims are often overcome by smoke before they can escape. Smoke inhalation can lead to loss of consciousness, respiratory failure, and ultimately death, even in cases where the individual is not burned by the flames.

Understanding this, the primary risk in house fires is not necessarily the heat or flames themselves but the inhalation of toxic smoke, which can rapidly incapacitate individuals. This underscores the importance of smoke detectors and fire safety measures aimed at minimizing smoke exposure.