Authors
Christopher S. Szlatenyi, Ian Michael Monk, Gregory Leo Lucini
Sponsor
Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board
Advisors
Robert Kinicki, Stephen J. Weininger
Term
March – May 2009
Abstract
In recent years, research and awareness of the hoarding condition has been increasing. This study is the first attempt to examine hoarding from a fire safety perspective. Novel data collection techniques, including the interview of Brigade, local government, and psychology clinic personnel, were used. Data were also collected via the nationwide Australasian Incident Reporting System. Considering the past ten years, 48 hoarding fire incidents in Melbourne’s Metropolitan Fire District were identified. These hoarding incidents accounted for approximately 0.25% of all residential fires and 24% of preventable fire fatalities during the same timeframe. Hoarding fires, which typically involved elderly males, required a much greater allocation of resources than average residential fires.
Final Report