Minnesota ranks 10th nationwide in fewest fire deaths

St. Paul, Minn. — State fire officials hope to build on last year's record for fewest fire fatalities. So far in 2008, 13 people have lost their lives in fires.

That compares to 21 deaths at this time last year. In the entire year of 2007, 40 people died in fires in Minnesota.

State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl said Minnesota ranks 10th in the country for lowest fire death rate.

"We're in real good shape in terms of the national average, as well as kind of the Upper Midwest average. Overall, nationwide, the trend is downward, but we're seeing some pretty dramatic decreases in our numbers, which is great," Rosendahl said.

Rosendahl says fire safety education and building code requirements are two of the bigger reasons for the declining fatality rate.