Fire losses are continuously increasing in China; there is an urgent need to enhance fire research so as to mitigate fire damage with moderate costs. A system of fire research consisting of basic research, applied research and development of new technology for fire prevention and protection is being formed in China. A general structure of organizations related to fire research is outlined, and several main institutions of fire research are introduced. Typical research work in the State Key Lab of Fire Science is given as an example of fire research in China