In 2015, 2,255 persons died due to accidental fires caused by electrical short circuits -- a 25% rise from the previous year and a 48% jump from 2011, data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) show.

The deaths accounted for 12% of accidental deaths caused due to fires in 2015 with the majority of fire-related accidental deaths (11,916) due to “other causes”. In 2011, they accounted for 6%.

In all of these fatal short-circuit incidents, most of the victims, or a median 81%, were male.

Tamil Nadu with 266 deaths reported the highest death toll, followed by Uttar Pradesh which reported 265 deaths and Gujarat (251 deaths), NCRB data show.

Most short-circuit fires have been triggered by loose wiring, bad quality electrical fittings or poor maintenance of wiring work, The Times of India reported on June 12, 2015.

The National Building Code of 2016 tackles the issue of growing deaths caused due to short circuits and lists regulations to prevent electrical hazards. However prevention of such fatal accidents depends on how efficiently states implement the fire rules.

Source: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

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