Wait for official clearance
Do not re-enter until the fire department or building official says it is safe. Structural damage, compromised roofs, and active utilities can make a burned building hazardous.
Secure the property
Open roofs, broken windows, and damaged doors expose the building to weather and trespass. Emergency board-up and tarping prevent a fire loss from becoming a water and theft loss.
Call us at (330) 782-5392 for 24/7 board-up, tarping, and emergency securing across Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.
Contact your insurance carrier
Report the loss as soon as you can. Have your policy number ready and note the date and time of the fire.
You do not need a complete inventory before the first call. Start a list of damaged rooms and major items as you remember them.
Document without disturbing evidence
Photograph each affected room, the exterior, and any visible soot patterns. Smoke travels through HVAC systems and closed doors, so include adjacent rooms.
Do not wash walls, furniture, or clothing. Improper cleaning can set soot and complicate professional restoration.
Understand the layers of fire damage
Fire losses usually include char and heat damage, smoke and soot throughout the structure, and water from suppression. Each layer requires different cleaning methods and documentation.
Professional assessment determines what can be cleaned, what must be removed, and what reconstruction will be required.