A house fire in New York is one of the most stressful events a homeowner can face. Beyond the immediate danger, you’re often left with smoke damage, destroyed belongings, and the question of where to even start.
What you do in the first 24–48 hours after a fire can make all the difference to your safety, your finances, and how quickly your home can be restored.
As a leading fire damage restoration company in NYC, iFlooded Restoration has helped countless families recover from devastating fires. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential first steps to take after a house fire, from protecting your safety and securing your property to navigating insurance claims and beginning the cleanup process.
Step 1: Safety comes first
Your safety and that of your family members should come before everything else. Even a small house fire can quickly spread, and vacating the property is your first priority. It’s also important to factor in the following hazards instead of just focusing on the flames:
- Structural Damage: Fires often weaken your home’s structural elements, and entering the property can compromise safety.
- Fumes: When soot, smoke, and chemicals linger after a fire, they can result in severe respiratory complications.
- Hot Spots: Older buildings constructed with a lot of timber can reignite.
Your local fire department will assess the property and let you know whether you can return. You should always follow their advice and contact your local disaster relief agency (NYCEM) if you need accommodation or other support.
Step 2: Get emergency support from restoration companies
While you should always contact your insurance company after a fire, getting in touch with a fire damage remediation service usually takes priority. At iFlooded Restoration, a 24/7 emergency team will visit your property immediately.
Once we stabilize it and prevent further damage from occurring, our technicians will document the damage and provide a quote.
Our emergency services include:
- Shutting off your electricity and gas supply.
- Boarding up broken doors and windows.
- Patching up roofs to prevent flooding.
Step 3: Navigate the insurance claims process
Your insurance policy will be key to supporting you financially after a fire. However, the amount you receive depends on the level of insurance coverage and which damages are included in your policy.
Most policies require homeowners to contact the provider as soon as possible. You’ll also need to document any destroyed or damaged property.
Insurance is often the key to getting financial support for repairs, replacements, and living expenses. Many tenants and homeowners in New York carry policies covering fire damage.
When you work with a fire restoration service, a technician will meet the insurance provider on-site to explain the damage and justify repair costs.
Many homeowners’ insurance companies will try to reduce your compensation, but professional remediation companies are highly skilled in securing the right payment.
Step 4: Cleanup and restoration
Unless your home experienced a very small fire, you’ll need a professional company to support you through the cleanup and restoration process. Unfortunately, fires often result in smoke damage, excess soot, damaged/destroyed personal belongings, and water damage.
A licensed restoration company has access to specialized equipment, which streamlines the recovery process and prevents further damage. The technicians will:
- Remove soot and smoke odors from the walls, carpets, and your personal property.
- Remove soot from HVAC systems.
- Eliminate excess moisture from your home and thoroughly dry it.
- Take steps to prevent mold growth or offer mold remediation services if spores are already present.
- Reconstruct the property, ensuring it’s safe for habitation. This stage often involves addressing structural damage and replacing damaged building materials.
Addressing the damage after a home fire yourself can put you at risk of smoke inhalation, and it may even result in further damage, as standard household cleaning products won’t be effective.
Step 5: Practice self-care activities
Many people experience symptoms of grief after their house burns, including shock, depression, and anxiety (APA). It’s essential to take time to process the fire and provide emotional support to your family members.
Local disaster relief services can help you access support, including counselling and temporary housing, which relieves some of the stress caused by fires.
Step 6: Deal with legal and financial matters
There are also multiple financial and legal issues after a fire – especially for landlords and tenants. Residential tenants in New York are entitled to safe and secure accommodation, and landlords must fix damage promptly.
However, the tenant is also responsible for taking care of the property, and they may be liable for the fire if it occurred due to their actions.
Obtaining a fire report can help homeowners file a successful claim through their insurance agency, and a lawyer can support both tenants and landlords during legal disputes.
Step 7: Take steps to prevent future fires
Fires aren’t necessarily a one-time thing; they can happen again if you don’t protect your home. Following these steps can significantly reduce the chances of a fire:
- Practice Fire Safety: Smoke detectors are vital for identifying fires and saving lives. You should always install fire alarms and test them monthly to ensure they work. Also, many insurance companies won’t compensate homeowners without smoke alarms.
- Fire Drills: Develop a fire escape plan to ensure your family members can swiftly exit the property. This reduces health risks like inhaling toxic fumes and developing long-term health issues.
- Emergency Measures: It’s also a good idea to install fire extinguishers in vulnerable areas like kitchens, as it prevents a small house fire from becoming a large fire that causes extensive damage.
- Regular Inspections: Arrange regular inspections from licensed electricians and test your appliances. Older buildings in New York are more prone to fire risks.
The bottom line
From taking emergency measures to navigating the insurance process, house fires in New York can cause long-term property and financial damage – but addressing them quickly gives you the best chance of restoring your home to its pre-loss condition.
Our professional restoration specialists are here to help your home and family recover from a fire and look forward to the future.
If you need emergency support, please call our 24/7 team at (800) 874-8146, or use the online form to arrange a non-urgent site visit.
Once we assess your property and perform emergency measures, we’ll issue a quote and support you through the insurance claim process.
