Malicious fires increased for cars by 66 percent over 1990, for dwellings by 2 percent, and for other occupied buildings by 8 percent. Accidental fires increased slightly for cars (1 percent) and dwellings (1 percent) but decreased by 9 percent for other occupied buildings. The number of fire deaths declined to 827 in 1991, the lowest since 1971. Deaths in buildings decreased to 610 for dwellings, the lowest since 1971, but remained at the 1990 level of 59 for other occupied buildings. Deaths outdoors fell to 107 for road vehicles and to 42 for derelict buildings and other outdoor areas. Nonfatal casualties increased to a record high of 14,700. 6 notes, 24 tables, and 10 figures