HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) – The State of South Carolina State Fire Marshal’s Office reports 44 documented fire fatalities in the Palmetto State so far this year. According to the fire fatalities report released by the office, the leading cause of those fatal fires is smoking.

The report states that 37 fires claimed the lives of 44 residents within the state; three of those deaths were in Horry County. The average age of the victims is 55 and 66 percent of those fatalities were male. The age group of 20 to 50-year-olds accounts for 35 percent of the fatalities, while only 9 percent of the deaths were victims under the age of 20.

Orangeburg and Edgefield Counties lead the state in fatal fires, reporting four each. The State Fire Marshal’s office reports smoking accounts for just over 27 percent of the fatal fires to date this year in South Carolina.

Fire officials say the number one way to keep your family safe when it comes to residential fires

is to install fire alarms throughout your home and check them regularly to ensure they are working.

View the complete fire fatalities report from the State Fire Marshal’s Office.