This study highlights the difficulties of trying to link the New Zealand Fire Service Fire Incident Reporting System data on fire related injuries to that held in the New Zealand Health Information Service with links being found for very few records. The study population consists of inpatients discharged following first admission to a New Zealand hospital with a primary diagnosis of burn injury or smoke inhalation as a result of fire or flame in a private residential property.

The highest rates of inpatient treatment were for children aged under 5 years, young adults between 15 and 34 years, and older people over 74 years. The study finds high inpatient treatment rates for males, and particularly Maori. The most common scenario is clothing coming in contact with a heat source.