Nobody reads this kind of article until they have to. If you’re here because a fire just happened at your home, I’m sorry. It’s a rough thing to go through, and your head is probably all over the place. Here’s a plain, step-by-step look at what to do, and what to leave alone, so you’re not guessing. For the bigger picture of what recovery involves, our fire damage restoration page lays it out.

Make Sure Everyone Is Safe

People first, always. Check that every family member and pet is accounted for, and get medical help for anyone who inhaled smoke, even if they feel okay. Smoke effects can show up hours later.

Wait for the Fire Department to Say It’s Safe

Don’t go back inside until the fire crew clears it. Fire weakens floors, ceilings, and stairs in ways you can’t see, and hot spots can reignite. Ask them whether the gas and electric have been shut off, and don’t turn either back on yourself.

Call Your Insurance Company

Do this early, ideally the same day. They’ll open a claim and explain what your policy covers, including whether it pays for temporary housing. Write down your claim number and the adjuster’s name. Keep every receipt for hotels, meals, and emergency purchases.

Take Photos and Make a List

Once it’s safe to enter, photograph everything: structure, rooms, belongings, even things that look ruined. Then start a list of what was damaged or lost. It’s tedious, but it makes your claim stronger, and it’s much easier while the details are fresh.

Don’t Start Cleaning on Your Own

This is where well-meaning people cause trouble. Wiping soot with a regular rag can grind it into walls and fabric. Running your HVAC can push smoke through the entire house. And touching electronics that got wet or sooty can cause damage or injury.

Leave things as they are, and don’t throw anything away until you’ve documented it.

Secure the Property

A fire-damaged home is vulnerable to weather, break-ins, and further damage. Boarding up windows and tarping a damaged roof are usually part of an emergency response. Some insurers cover this, so ask.

Call a Restoration Company Quickly

Time matters because soot is acidic and keeps eating into surfaces, and water from firefighting can lead to mold within days. A restoration team will assess the whole property, including rooms the fire never touched but smoke did. They’ll dry the structure, clean soot and smoke residue, treat odors, and handle repairs, often working directly with your insurance adjuster.

Take Care of Yourself Too

It’s okay to feel scattered or overwhelmed. Lean on friends and family. Let people help with practical stuff like meals and a place to sleep. You don’t have to handle the paperwork and the emotions all at once.

If you need help getting started, our team handles fire damage restoration from the first assessment through the final rebuild, so you’re not coordinating five different contractors while you’re also trying to find a place to sleep.