Of the 150 residential fire fatalities investigated by the State Coroner, Victoria, from mid-1990 to 1995, 132 resulted from 94 fires where the cause was either not deliberate or remained undetermined. Personal and behavioural characteristics of victims and survivors of these fires are examined. The 18 deaths from 15 intentional fires are described separately. Most victims evidenced known risk characteristics, such as being very old or very young, being asleep or being affected by alcohol. Victims under 5 years and over 65 were more likely to be awake and involved with the fire start. Three quarters of those asleep and half of those awake did not move from their original location-the latter were all in direct contact with the flames.
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