VIDEO: A CBS 5 Investigates analysis of data from the Phoenix and Mesa fire departments shows the number of calls for service for house and apartment fires increases during December. In 2017, Phoenix firefighters responded to 443 house fires. In October of that year, there were 34 house fire calls. In November, there were 36 calls. And in December, the number rose to 49 calls. Phoenix saw a similar trend in 2018. October saw 37 calls; November saw 40 calls, and December saw 48.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission released a video that shows how quickly a Christmas tree fire can engulf a room. It can happen in less than 2 minutes. According to the CPSC, more than 100 Christmas tree fires, 1,100 candle fires, 10 deaths, and 150 injuries were reported across the United States between 2014 and 2016.