Lightning Strike or Electrical Fire: What to Do Next

A lightning strike or an electrical fire can damage wiring, outlets, appliances and electronics even when the flames look small. Smoke from burning plastic, wiring and insulation leaves a sharp odor and a fine soot that settles on walls, ceilings and belongings. Here's what to do once everyone is safe.

Need help right now? Call MaxClean Restoration at 732-539-2942 Open 24/7 in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties. We're usually on site in about an hour near Freehold, and in about 2 hours in Lacey, Stafford, Barnegat and Little Egg Harbor.

Step by step: what to do right now

Get everyone out and call 911 if you see flames, smoke, sparks, a burning-plastic smell you can't explain, or if lightning hit the house. Do not go back inside until the fire department says it's safe.
Stay away from downed power lines and anything they're touching. Call the utility or 911. Assume every downed line is live.
Shut off power only if it's safe. If you can reach the main breaker without standing in water, smoke or a burned area, turn the main off. If the panel is hot, scorched, smoking or wet, leave it alone and wait for the fire department or an electrician.
Do not reset breakers that tripped during a lightning strike or electrical fire until a licensed electrician has checked the system. A tripped breaker can be the only thing keeping a damaged circuit from starting another fire.
Turn off the HVAC system if there is smoke or soot, so it doesn't pull odor and residue through the whole house.
Document everything with photos and video before anything is cleaned or thrown away: scorched outlets, the panel, burned wires, soot on walls and ceilings, and damaged electronics.
Call your insurance company to report the loss and get a claim number. Ask for a copy of the fire department or utility report if one was made.
Call a fire and smoke restoration company for soot cleanup, odor removal and any water used to put the fire out. MaxClean: 732-539-2942. Have a licensed electrician repair the wiring before you restore power.

What NOT to do

Don't put water on an electrical fire. Use a Class C (or multipurpose ABC) extinguisher only if you are trained and the fire is small; otherwise get out and call 911.
Don't flip breakers back on after a lightning strike or electrical smell until an electrician clears the system.
Don't use outlets, appliances or electronics that were near the strike, heat or smoke until they've been checked.
Don't wipe soot off walls, ceilings or electronics with a dry cloth or household cleaner. Rubbing can smear it and set the stain, and soot can be conductive on electronics.
Don't turn the HVAC back on while smoke odor is still in the house.
Don't throw damaged items away before they're photographed for your claim.
Don't cover the smell with air fresheners or candles. Masking sprays don't remove smoke odor from wiring or plastics.

When to call a professional

You see soot, scorch marks or melted plastic on outlets, switches, the panel or appliances.
A smoke or burning-plastic smell remains after the house has been aired out.
Lightning hit the roof, chimney, antenna, tree next to the house, or utility lines serving the house.
Electronics, TVs, computers or smart-home devices stopped working after a storm.
Water from firefighting soaked walls, ceilings or floors.
Smoke may have entered the HVAC system.

Working with your insurance

We send the invoice to your insurance carrier on your behalf, but the invoice is still the homeowner's responsibility. That includes your deductible and anything your carrier doesn't pay.

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 for your claim, 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

Lightning Strike or Electrical Fire: What to Do Next: Checklist

☐ Everyone safe; 911 called if there was fire, smoke or a downed line
☐ Stayed away from downed power lines
☐ Main power off only if the panel was safe to reach
☐ Breakers left tripped until an electrician checks them
☐ HVAC left OFF if smoke or soot is present
☐ Photos and video of all damage
☐ Insurance claim reported and number written down
☐ Electrician scheduled before restoring power
☐ Restoration company called for soot and odor
☐ MaxClean Restoration 24/7: 732-539-2942

Frequently asked questions

The fire was small and the power is back on. Do I still need cleanup? Often, yes. Burning wiring and plastic leave a fine soot and a sharp odor that settles on walls, ceilings, soft goods and inside the HVAC. If you see a film on surfaces or still smell smoke after airing the house out, have it inspected.

Why does my house still smell like burned plastic after a lightning strike? Smoke from melted insulation, plastics and wiring soaks into drywall, insulation and fabrics. Wiping the surfaces you can see usually leaves residue behind. Professional cleaning of affected surfaces, followed by deodorization methods like thermal fogging and hydroxyl treatment, removes smoke odor in most homes.

Should I throw away electronics that were plugged in during a strike? Don't assume they're fine, and don't plug them back in until they've been checked. Surge damage can be hidden. Document them for your claim and ask your insurer or an electronics restoration specialist what can be tested or cleaned.

Does homeowners insurance cover a lightning strike or electrical fire? Coverage depends on your policy, so check your policy or ask your agent. We send the invoice to your insurance carrier on your behalf, but the invoice is still the homeowner's responsibility. That includes your deductible and anything your carrier doesn't pay.

Can I choose my own restoration contractor? 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 for your claim, so your home gets back to its pre-loss condition.

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 MaxClean Restoration at 732-539-2942 Open 24/7 in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties. We're usually on site in about an hour near Freehold, and in about 2 hours in Lacey, Stafford, Barnegat and Little Egg Harbor.

MaxClean Restoration, 11 Bannard Street, Freehold, NJ · IICRC Certified Firm · NJ HIC #13VH12188600 Open 24/7 across Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties. Usually on site in about an hour near Freehold, and in about 2 hours in Lacey, Stafford, Barnegat and Little Egg Harbor.