After a House Fire: What to Do Next

Fire-damaged kitchen with charred cabinets and debris before restoration

A house fire is overwhelming, even when it's small. Once the fire department says it's out, these steps help keep your family safe and your claim on track, and stop smoke and soot from causing more damage.

Need help right now? Call or text MaxClean Restoration at 732-539-2942 · Text us Open 24/7 and usually on site within an hour in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties.

Step by step: what to do right now

  1. Don't go back inside until the fire department says it's safe. Ask them whether the utilities are safe to use.
  2. Make sure everyone has a place to stay. If you can't stay in the home, check your policy or ask your agent about help with temporary housing.
  3. Call your insurance company to report the fire and get a claim number. Ask for a copy of the fire department report.
  4. Secure the property. Broken windows, doors and roof openings should be boarded up and tarped to keep out weather and intruders. Check your policy or ask your agent about your duty to prevent further damage.
  5. Document everything with photos and video before anything is cleaned or thrown away.
  6. Call a fire and smoke restoration company. Soot is acidic and starts to stain and corrode surfaces within hours. MaxClean handles board-up, soot and smoke cleanup, odor removal, water from firefighting, and rebuilding: 732-539-2942.
  7. Find your important documents(IDs, insurance policy, medications), or start replacing them.
Fire-damaged room opened to the rafters beneath an arched window

What NOT to do

  • Don't turn on the HVAC system. It can spread soot through the whole house.
  • Don't try to wipe soot off walls, ceilings or upholstery. Rubbing smears it in and can set the stain permanently.
  • Don't eat food, or use medicine or cosmetics, that were near the fire, heat or smoke.
  • Don't use electrical appliances that were exposed to fire, heat or water until they've been checked.
  • Don't throw anything away before it's documented for your insurance claim.

When to call a professional

  • Any visible soot or smoke residue, even in rooms the fire didn't reach.
  • A lingering smoke odor.
  • Water damage from firefighting (this usually needs drying right away).
  • The home needs board-up, tarping or structural repairs.
  • Clothing, furniture or keepsakes that need professional cleaning.
Technician in Tyvek cleaning soot from a ceiling inside containment

Working with your insurance

We work directly with your insurance company and send the invoice to your carrier for you; you're responsible for your deductible and anything your policy doesn't cover.

In New Jersey, homeowners usually have the right to choose their own restoration contractor. We specialize in working with both homeowners and insurance companies to make sure the work is properly documented and covered, so your home gets back to its pre-loss condition.

Learn more on our insurance claims page or our fire and smoke damage restoration page.

Printable checklist

After a House Fire: What to Do Next: Checklist

  • ☐ Fire department cleared re-entry
  • ☐ Place to stay arranged
  • ☐ Insurance claim reported and number written down
  • ☐ Fire department report requested
  • ☐ Home boarded up and tarped
  • ☐ Photos and video of all damage
  • ☐ HVAC left OFF
  • ☐ Restoration company called
  • ☐ Important documents and medications located
  • ☐ MaxClean Restoration 24/7: 732-539-2942

Frequently asked questions

How soon should fire and smoke cleanup start? As soon as possible. Soot is acidic and can permanently stain surfaces in days, and water from firefighting can lead to mold in 24 to 48 hours. MaxClean is open 24/7 and usually on site within an hour.

Can smoke odor really be removed? Yes. Professional cleaning of every surface, followed by deodorization methods like thermal fogging and hydroxyl treatment, removes smoke odor in most homes. Masking sprays don't work.

Who pays for fire damage cleanup? Fire is usually covered under most homeowner policies. We work directly with your insurance company and send the invoice to your carrier for you; you're responsible for your deductible and anything your policy doesn't cover.

Can I choose my own restoration contractor after a fire? In New Jersey, homeowners usually have the right to choose their own restoration contractor. We specialize in working with both homeowners and insurance companies to make sure the work is properly documented and covered, so your home gets back to its pre-loss condition.

Will my insurance pay for a place to stay? Check your policy or ask your agent whether temporary housing is included.

Get ready before it happens: build a free emergency plan for your home (shutoff locations, emergency contacts, maintenance reminders) at plan.maxcleanrestoration.com.

Need help right now? Call or text MaxClean Restoration at 732-539-2942 · Text us Open 24/7 and usually on site within an hour in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties.

Related: fire and smoke damage restoration · All Resource Center guides · Insurance claim help · Free home emergency plan

MaxClean Restoration, 11 Bannard Street, Freehold, NJ · IICRC Certified Firm · NJ HIC #13VH12188600 Open 24/7 and usually on site within an hour across Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties.