Domestic fires in Ukraine claim twice as many lives on New Year’s Day compared to last year, reports SES

A sharp rise in household fires marked the final days of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 in Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of 55 people. On January 1 alone, 14 lives were lost—double the number recorded on the same day last year, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service (SES).

Oleksandr Khorunzhyi, Press Officer for the SES, disclosed these figures during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.

“The number of household fires has risen significantly in recent days. Between December 31, 2024, and January 6, 2025, a total of 865 fires occurred—an increase of 32% compared to 653 fires during the same period last year,” Khorunzhyi stated. “Tragically, these fires claimed the lives of 55 people, a 41% increase from the 39 fatalities recorded during the same timeframe in 2024. In just eight days, 55 people died in household fires.”

Khorunzhyi highlighted the particularly alarming statistics for January 1, 2025: “On that day alone, 14 people died in fires across Ukraine. Last year, the figure was seven—representing a 100% increase.”

In addition to fatalities, injuries also rose. “There were 31 injuries caused by fires during this period, compared to 27 last year—a 15% increase in victims,” he noted.

The SES identified the leading causes of these fires as short circuits in electrical systems and improper use of stove heating.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news