BEIJING, Feb. 13-- China reported 1,817 deaths from fire in 2014, a year-on-year decrease of 14 percent, showed new data from the Ministry of Public Security.

Last year saw some 395,000 fires that led to direct economic losses of 4.39 billion yuan (700 million U.S. dollars), down by 9.5 percent from the previous year, according to a statement released on Friday.

A total of 1,493 people were injured in fires, an 8.8-percent decrease, it said.

While incorrect use of electrical devices led to 26.9 percent of all cases of fire, more than half of the deaths resulted from smoke inhalation, it added.

The statement noted a particular rise in deaths from fires in residential buildings, as they accounted for 68.5 percent of all fatalities.

The ministry attributed the decline in fire damage to strengthened fire checks throughout the country that covered more than 9.9 million buildings and saw the elimination of more than 60 million fire risks.

In addition, fire awareness campaigns were launched in schools and other public venues, along with more firefighting training courses open to the public.