[Former Proud Canadian]

99% of residential fires are covered with five causes:

1. Arson

2. Careless smoking (usually in bed)

3. Cooking

4. Faulty electrical system

5. Faulty heating system

Causes 2 and 3 are usually alcohol related.

[bgill]

I'm guessing that time a squirrel chewed on the electrical wire and burst into flames which spread to the house falls in that 1%.

[Old Professer]

Arson is quite rare, smoking is falling way down on the list, faulty electrical fires usually end up being overloaded outlets or extension cords, faulty heating is usually space heaters placed too close to flammables or combustibles, cooking will always top the list — keep a metal lid large enough to smother pans or pots that suddenly catch fire and immediately turn off heat,

Move only after cooled down.

NEVER LEAVE A RANGE OR GRILL UNATTENDED UNLESS A SMOKE HOOD IS IN PLACE.