In the past five years, the number of overall fire incidents in Bhutan has fluctuated with no clear trend. But throughout this time, house fires have remained the most common, making up the biggest share of all reported cases. The Royal Bhutan Police’s Statistical Yearbooks show that house fires still account for a significant portion of fire incidents nationwide. Among the leading causes, electrical short circuits were responsible for almost 40 per cent of the house fires in the last two years.
The number of reported house fire incidents in Bhutan has fluctuated over the past five years.
In 2020, there were 73 house fires out of 100 fire incidents. This rose to 80 in 2021 from 155 incidents. In 2022, house fires dropped slightly to 76 out of 102, and further to 68 in 2023 from 142 incidents. Last year, the number rose again to 74 house fires out of 139 total fire incidents.
The yearbooks did not list specific causes until 2023, but electrical short circuits have been the main cause, with 29 cases in 2023 and 28 last year.
The yearbook highlights that faulty wiring, poor maintenance, and overloaded circuits continue to put homes at risk.
Fires from unknown causes were the second highest, with 20 cases, showing gaps in investigations or damages, too severe to trace. The report calls for better documentation and stronger forensic capacity.
Unattended cooking caused 13 fires last year, up from 10 in 2023, highlighting the ongoing risk from kitchen negligence.
Other causes include LPG leaks, butter lamps, heating appliances, Bukhari, and lightning. The yearbook stresses the need for stronger safety practices and greater public awareness.
Thimphu recorded the highest number of house fires over the last five years.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Kipchu
