Start with people, not the house
If anyone was hurt, or might have breathed a lot of smoke, they need medical attention first. Make sure everyone, including pets, is accounted for. If the fire department is still there, they're in charge of the scene. Everything below can wait until people are safe.
Getting back in
Don't go back into the building until the fire department says it's safe. Fires can rekindle in walls and attics, floors and stairs can be weakened, and the air can still hold smoke and fumes. When you're allowed in, wear sturdy shoes and gloves and take only what you need: medications, glasses, identification, phones, chargers, important papers. The gas and electric utilities decide when service comes back on. Don't switch on power or gas yourself.
Find a place to stay
Most homes aren't livable right after a fire, even when the damage looks limited, because of smoke, water and lost utilities. Family and friends are often the first stop. The American Red Cross provides emergency help after home fires. If you have homeowners or renters insurance, ask your insurer whether your policy includes loss-of-use or additional living expense coverage, what it pays for, and what receipts you'll need.
Call your insurer early
If you have insurance, report the fire as soon as you can and write down your claim number and your adjuster's name. Ask what they need from you, whether they want to inspect before anything is removed, and how they want emergency work handled. Keep every receipt for anything you spend because of the fire. Our guide to fire claims explains the process in general terms.
Secure the building
An open building gets worse every day. Broken windows, forced doors and roof holes cut for ventilation need to be covered. See board-up services. Many property insurance policies ask the policyholder to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage; securing the building is usually how that's done.
Document everything
Before cleanup starts, photograph and video every room, inside closets and cabinets, the outside of the house, and anything damaged, from several angles. Narrate the video if it helps. Make a list of what was in each room. Photos taken before anything is moved are hard to replace later.
Deal with the water
Water from fire hoses soaks into drywall, insulation, subfloors and furniture. The EPA advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. That usually means pumps, fans and dehumidifiers, and often removing wet materials. This is one of the main reasons not to leave restoration for later.
What not to touch
- Don't wipe soot. Wiping can smear residue into paint and fabrics.
- Don't run the heating or air conditioning until the system has been checked; it can spread soot through the ducts.
- Don't switch on electronics or appliances that were exposed to heat, smoke or water.
- Don't eat food that was exposed to heat, smoke or firefighting water, even in sealed containers. Throw out medicines and cosmetics that were exposed too.
- Don't throw damaged things away before they're photographed and listed.
Watch out for pressure
After a fire, people sometimes turn up offering to handle everything. Take your time. You don't have to sign anything on the day, and you shouldn't sign anything you haven't read, especially a document that hands control of your insurance payments to someone else. Get a written scope of work, and if anything is unclear, ask your insurer or a lawyer before signing.
Questions for the first call
- Is the building released, and when can the utilities be restored?
- Can you secure the openings today?
- Can you start removing water and drying at the same time?
- Will you photograph the damage before starting?
- What will you need me to sign, and can I read it first?