Fire & Smoke Damage: What to Do in the First 24 Hours

A house fire is disorienting even when everyone gets out safe. The first day is about two things: keeping your family safe and protecting the claim you will file later. Everything below is in rough order of importance.

Don’t go back inside until the fire department clears it

Once the crews leave, the danger is not over. Fires can rekindle, floors and stairs may be weakened, and smoke leaves behind toxic residue. Wait for the official all-clear — not just “the trucks left.” If you need medications or essentials, go in with a firefighter or wait until the building is declared safe, get in and out fast, and wear a mask and gloves.

Leave the HVAC off

Your first instinct might be to air the place out. Do not run the heating or cooling system — it will pull soot through the ductwork and spread it into every room, including ones the fire never touched. Shut the system off at the thermostat, and if you can do it safely, tape plastic or towels over the supply vents. Duct cleaning is a job for the restoration crew.

Document everything before you move anything

Before a single thing is thrown away or wiped down: walk every room and take photos and video, open closets and drawers, and get close-ups of damaged items. Make a simple list — item, rough age, what you paid or what it is worth now. This is the evidence your adjuster works from. Once cleanup starts, it cannot be recreated.

Get the property secured

Broken windows, kicked-in doors, and holes in the roof invite weather, animals, and theft — and most policies require you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. Emergency board-up and tarping is exactly the kind of call we take around the clock: call (555) 010-2277 any time and we will connect you with an independent local fire-damage contractor for board-up. The matching service is free.

What not to try cleaning yourself

Soot is acidic, oily, and embeds deeper the more you touch it. Do not wash soot-covered walls with water or household cleaner — you will set the stain permanently. Do not run soot-covered electronics. Do not wipe with dry cloths that grind particles into surfaces. You can open windows in the damaged area for ventilation only if the HVAC stays off, and do not aim fans at sooty surfaces — you will blow residue into clean rooms. Real soot cleanup uses professional chemistry and equipment.

Your first-24-hours checklist

1. Confirm everyone is safe and accounted for, and arrange a place to stay.
2. Wait for the fire department’s all-clear before re-entering.
3. Shut off the HVAC.
4. Photograph and video everything, room by room.
5. Board up broken windows and doors; tarp any roof damage.
6. Call your insurance company to open a claim.
7. Start a simple inventory list of damaged items.

Frequently asked questions