BEIJING, Oct. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Fire accidents cost China a total of 1.55 billion yuan (190 million US dollars) annually in the past five years, according to figures released by the Ministry of Public Security recently.

In comparison, the annual average loss China suffered in the 1990s was about 1.06 billion yuan (130 million US dollars), said Guo Tienan, director of Fire Protection Bureau of Ministry of Public Security.

The growth of fire accidents has showed a corresponding trend with China's ongoing industrialization process and development of cities, he said.

From 1980 to 2004, the average number of the people died from fires annually was 2,404, compared with an average of 4,500 in the 1960s and 4,366 in the 1970s.

"The sharp reduction should be contributed to the lasting endeavors from the government, fire fighters and the whole society," said Guo.