The 5 Most Common Causes of House Fires in Houston and Dallas—And How to Prevent Them

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Common Causes of House Fires in Texas

House fires are one of the most devastating types of property damage, often resulting in significant loss and posing serious risks to families throughout Texas. 

In 2022, Texas reported over 70,000 fires statewide, with property damage estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars. Structure fires accounted for most of these incidents, with significant damage reported. Don’t become part of these statistics.

With the Lone Star State’s unique climate challenges and housing characteristics, understanding the leading causes of house fires and taking preventive steps is crucial for Houston and Dallas area residents. At CWF Restoration, we’ve helped many Texas families recover from fire damage, and we’re here to share the five most common causes of house fires and how to avoid them.

1. Cooking-Related Fires

5 Most Common Causes Of House Fires In Houston And Dallas—And How To Prevent Them

Cooking accidents remain the leading cause of house fires in Texas, especially during our hot summers when indoor cooking combines with high ambient temperatures. According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is responsible for approximately 44% of house fire incidents in the United States, including Texas. Kitchen fires are particularly common between 5-8 PM when most people return from work and prepare dinner.

  • Prevention Tips for Texas Homes: Never leave cooking unattended, especially when frying with oil—a common cooking method in Texas cuisine. Keep flammable items away from stovetops, especially during summer months when air conditioning can create unexpected drafts. Have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and know how to use it. If a grease fire starts, use a lid to smother it—never use water, as it can spread the fire dramatically in seconds.

2. Heating Equipment

While Texas has milder winters than northern states, our occasional cold snaps—like the devastating 2021 winter storm—lead many residents to use space heaters, fireplaces, and other heating equipment that presents serious fire hazards. Most heating fires occur during December, January, and February when Texans are trying to stay warm. Four out of five heating fire deaths are caused by portable heaters, often placed too close to flammable objects.

  • Prevention Tips for Texas Homes: Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything flammable and ensure they have an automatic shut-off feature. In Houston and Dallas homes with fireplaces, have your chimney inspected annually before the first cold snap. Never use your oven as a heating source—a dangerous practice that increases during Texas winter emergencies when power outages occur.

3. Electrical Issues

Texas homes face unique electrical challenges, from older wiring in historic Houston neighborhoods to overtaxed systems during summer heat waves when air conditioners run constantly. Electrical failures typically cause hundreds of deaths and over $1 billion in property damage every year nationwide, with lighting and electrical distribution equipment most often causing fires in this category.

  • Prevention Tips for Texas Homes: Have your electrical system inspected by a licensed Texas electrician, especially in older Houston Heights or Dallas Oak Cliff homes. During summer months, avoid overloading circuits with multiple air conditioning units or fans. If you notice flickering lights during Houston’s summer thunderstorms or Dallas’s severe weather, address potential wiring issues immediately.

4. Smoking Materials

Despite declining smoking rates, cigarettes and other smoking materials remain a significant fire hazard in Texas homes. Smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths every year, with most of these blazes starting indoors. The risk rises significantly with age, making this particularly dangerous for Texas’s growing senior population.

  • Prevention Tips for Texas Homes: With Texas’s warm climate, consider smoking outside year-round. Never smoke in bed or when drowsy, especially during hot summer months when medications and heat exhaustion can increase drowsiness. When smoking outdoors during dry Texas summers, always fully extinguish smoking materials—a cigarette butt tossed in dry brush can ignite rapidly in our hot, dry conditions.

5. Candles and Open Flames

candles and Open Flames

Candles pose a significant fire hazard, particularly during Texas power outages from hurricanes along the Gulf Coast or ice storms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Forgetting to put out a candle before going to bed or leaving home causes around 4% of house fires annually, and data shows candle fires peak during the holidays.

  • Prevention Tips for Texas Homes: Never leave candles unattended, especially during severe weather events when you might be distracted. In Houston’s hurricane season and Dallas’s storm season, consider battery-operated flameless candles as a safer alternative during power outages. If you must use real candles, place them on stable surfaces away from air conditioning vents that could cause flames to flicker unpredictably.

Additional Texas-Specific Fire Risks

  • Holiday Decorations: Christmas time is one of the most popular times when homeowners in Dallas call for fire damage restoration. The reason is often fires caused by twinkle lights wrapped around dry trees combined with Texas’s notoriously variable winter weather that can cause electrical surges.
  • Barbecue Grills: With year-round grilling weather in Texas, proper placement of grills away from structures is essential, especially during drought conditions.
  • Lightning Strikes: Both Houston and Dallas experience frequent thunderstorms, making lightning protection systems an important consideration for Texas homeowners.

When Fire Disaster Strikes: CWF Restoration Is Here to Help

If your home suffers fire, smoke, or water damage, acting fast can make a huge difference. That’s where Certified Water & Fire Restoration comes in.

Serving the Houston and Dallas metro areas, Certified Water & Fire Restoration offers:

Their certified team works quickly to secure your property, prevent further damage, and guide you through the restoration process from start to finish.

FAQs about Commons Causes of House Fires in Texas

The leading cause of house fires in Texas—and across the U.S.—is unattended cooking. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking equipment causes nearly 49% of all residential fires. In our experience at CWF, grease fires and stovetop mishaps are some of the most common triggers we see, especially during busy evenings or holidays. Staying present in the kitchen and keeping flammable items away from heat sources is key to prevention.
You should call as soon as the property is safe and cleared by the fire department. Fire and smoke damage are progressive—the longer you wait, the more costly the restoration becomes. Soot and smoke residues begin to etch into walls and contents within hours. CWF is available 24/7 and can often be on-site within hours to stabilize the property and begin recovery
Yes, but first take photos of all visible damage if it’s safe to do so. Once documented, contact your insurance company and start the claim process right away. A fire restoration expert—like CWF—can help you walk through this process and speak with the adjuster to make sure you get the coverage you're entitled to. Acting quickly also prevents delays in getting approved for repairs
Ranges and stovetops are responsible for the majority of appliance-related fires. However, clothes dryers are another top culprit, especially when lint traps aren’t cleaned regularly. Simple maintenance can go a long way.
Recovery time can range from a couple of weeks to several months, depending on the damage. Minor kitchen fires may require smoke cleanup and repainting, while major structural fires can involve full-scale reconstruction. At CWF, we handle both emergency mitigation and full rebuilds, keeping things moving as smoothly as possible.
First, focus on safety and emotional recovery—house fires are traumatic events. Then, contact your insurance and a certified fire restoration company like CWF. We’ll secure the property, document the damage, and begin the cleaning and rebuilding process. We know how overwhelming it can be—our job is to make it manageable.
You can typically claim structural damage, personal property losses, temporary housing, smoke damage, and sometimes even food spoilage. The exact coverage depends on your policy. A full inventory list and detailed documentation can make a big difference—this is something we help all our clients with.
1. Ensure everyone is safe and contact emergency services 2. Notify your insurance company 3. Document the damage (photos, video, itemized lists) 4. Contact a licensed restoration company like CWF 5. Begin emergency services (board-up, debris removal, odor control) 6. Start the claims and repair process
Insurance typically pays in stages: initial emergency funds, then reimbursement for contents and repairs after documentation is reviewed. In some cases, they may issue checks directly to your restoration contractor. CWF helps streamline this process so you’re not dealing with it alone
Yes, absolutely. Most homes can be fully restored, even after severe fires. We’ve rebuilt everything from smoke-damaged bedrooms to entire sections of burned structures. With the right restoration plan and experience behind it, homes can be brought back to pre-loss condition—or better.
Costs vary depending on the extent of the fire, water damage, and the size of the property. Minor fire repairs might cost a few thousand, while full rebuilds can go into six figures. Thankfully, most homeowners insurance policies cover the majority of these costs. CWF provides free, detailed inspections and works directly with insurance to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

Stay Ready—Stay Safe

Preventing house fires starts with awareness. Ensure your home has working smoke detectors on every level, tested monthly, and a fire extinguisher in key areas like the kitchen and garage. Additionally, practice an emergency escape plan with everyone in your household. Taking these small steps today can help avoid a major disaster tomorrow. If a fire does occur, Certified Water & Fire Restoration is ready to assist with professional fire damage restoration to help you recover quickly and safely.

Call CWF Restoration – Texas Today for a Consultation!
We’re here to help you navigate your storm damage claim with expert care and attention.

Fire damage restoration is more than just cleanup—it’s about helping families rebuild after devastating loss. At CWF Restoration, we specialize in comprehensive fire damage recovery services, from certified fire and smoke damage cleanup to full insurance claim support. I’ve built a team dedicated to clear communication, expert craftsmanship, and compassionate service. Our goal is always the same: to restore homes to their pre-loss condition and support our clients every step of the way. – Ryan Majewski

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Reviewed by:

Ryan Majewski

Ryan is a seasoned senior operations officer in the property restoration industry, currently leading business development at Certified Water & Fire. He brings over a decade of expertise helping homeowners, property managers, and commercial clients recover from water, fire, storm, and structural damage.

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