State Fire Marshal, John W. Rudd, has ordered a Burning Ban, beginning October 15, 2024, for all outdoor burning, as current conditions throughout the State of Delaware are extremely dry and pose a fire hazard. Effective immediately, the following are prohibited: bonfires, controlled burnings (including burning of leaves and yard waste), agricultural burnings, fires for land clearing, fires for demolition and removal of hazards, and outdoor rubbish fires (whether or not contained). More Info

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Fire Deaths



Delaware’s Deadliest Fires

January 3, 2001
11 victims
Oak Orchard, DE
Single Family Ranch Dwelling
Unattended Cooking
Female (age 83) / Female (age 50) / Female (age 31) / Female (age 26) / Male (age 9) / Female (age 7) / Male (age 5) / Female (age 4) / Male (age 4) / Female (age 23 months) / Male (age 11 months)

October 31, 2000
5 victims
South Bayshore Drive, Milton, DE
Mobile Home
Cause: Undetermined
Male (age 49) / Female (age 18) / Male (age 10) / Male (age 9) / Male (age 23 months)

January 28, 1996
4 victims
North Locust Street, Wilmington
Two Story Single Family Dwelling
Electric hot comb improperly placed on sofa
Female (age 9) / Female (age 7) / Female (age 6) / Male (age 5)

January 20, 1993
4 victims
Railroad Avenue, Laurel
Two Story Duplex
Child playing with lighter
Female (age 46) / Male (age 7) / Male (age 3) / Female (age 1 month)

April 10, 1990
5 victims
Gull Turn Brookmont Farms, Newark
Child playing with lighter
2 story frame townhouse
Male (age 37) / Female (age 23) / Female (age 4) / Male (age 3) / Female (age 1)

October 21, 1980
6 victims
Amoco Corp
Industrial
Male (age 60) / Male (age 55) / Male (age 46) / Male (age 45) / Male (age 41) / Male (age 38)


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