What should I do immediately after a house fire?
Short answer: Do not re-enter until the fire department says the structure is safe. Then contact your insurance company to open a claim and arrange temporary lodging, secure the property with board-up and tarping, retrieve essential documents and medications if permitted, photograph everything, and arrange emergency mitigation for the water used to fight the fire.
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Call Now for Emergency Help(720) 319-807324/7 Emergency Call HandlingKey Takeaways
- Re-entry requires clearance from the fire department, not your own judgment.
- Suppression water is a second loss and needs extraction within hours, not days.
- Board-up and roof tarping prevent weather damage and unauthorized entry.
- Utilities are typically shut off by responders and must be restored by qualified personnel.
- Most policies include additional living expense coverage for lodging; ask immediately.
First 24 Hours
- Confirm everyone is accounted for and receive any needed medical attention.
- Get fire department clearance before entering, and ask for the incident report number.
- Call your insurer, open the claim, and ask about additional living expense coverage.
- Arrange emergency board-up, window coverings, and roof tarping.
- Photograph and video every room and the exterior before anything is moved.
- Retrieve identification, medications, and critical documents if allowed.
- Arrange water extraction and drying for suppression water.
Why Water Is the Urgent Part
Firefighting introduces a large volume of water into a building, and that water behaves like any other water loss: absorption into drywall, insulation, subfloor, and contents, with mold growth possible within 24 to 48 hours. On fire losses the water damage is frequently larger in square footage than the burn damage, and it is the part with a clock on it.
What Not To Do
- Do not turn utilities back on yourself.
- Do not wipe soot from walls before documentation; improper wiping can drive residue into surfaces.
- Do not use appliances or electronics that were exposed to heat, smoke, or water.
- Do not discard damaged items before they are photographed and inventoried.
- Do not sign a broad work authorization before you understand the scope.
Colorado and Denver Considerations
Denver metro fire losses in winter carry an added risk: if utilities are shut off and temperatures drop, plumbing in the damaged structure can freeze and burst, adding a third loss. Winterization or temporary heat is worth arranging when a home will sit unoccupied during cold weather.
Exceptions and Important Considerations
- If arson or a cause investigation is underway, the scene may be restricted longer.
- Multifamily fires involve building management and possibly several insurance carriers.
- Structural damage may require an engineer's evaluation before any entry or work.
Related Questions
Only after the fire department clears the structure, and even then limit time inside until smoke residue and air quality are addressed.
It is usually a covered emergency mitigation expense under the policy. Keep documentation and receipts.
Have any animals evaluated by a veterinarian; smoke inhalation affects pets as well.
Hold off. Improper cleaning of soot can set residue permanently and complicate the claim.
Fire Damage Restoration in Denver
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