Immediate Steps After a Residential Fire: What to Do First (Chicagoland)

If you’re searching what to do after a house fire, the first steps after fire damage at home are about safety, documentation, and securing your home after fire—before a fire damage assessment (residential) and contacting emergency fire damage services near me. Use this checklist to move from shock to action fast, tailored for Chicago and North Shore homes.

1) Safety First — Before You Re-Enter

• Only re-enter after the fire department says it’s safe.
• Watch for structural hazards (weakened floors/ceilings), hot spots, and electrical risks.
• Wear sturdy shoes, gloves, and a respirator when around soot or ash.
• If any utilities were shut off (gas/electric/water), do not restore them yourself—wait for utility or licensed pros.

2) Stabilize & Secure the Property (Same Day)

• Board-up & Tarp: Secure doors/windows and tarp opened roofs to prevent weather and trespass damage.
• Fence or lock if needed to keep the site safe.
• Shut down HVAC to avoid spreading soot through ductwork.
• Remove standing water left from suppression to prevent secondary damage (warping, mold).

3) Document Everything Immediately

• Take wide photos of each room, then close-ups of damage.
• Capture serial numbers for appliances/electronics if visible.
• Keep a running loss inventory (room → item → condition → approx. value).
• Save receipts for temporary lodging, clothing, meals, and emergency supplies (potential ALE—Additional Living Expense—if covered).

4) Contact Your Insurer & Open a Claim

• Report the loss, get your claim number, and ask about:
  • ALE, debris removal, code upgrades (ordinance/law), smoke/soot cleaning, textile restoration, electronics.
• Request the insurer’s preferred documentation format (inventory templates, estimate scopes).
• Ask your adjuster how they want temporary repairs handled so mitigation doesn’t jeopardize coverage.

5) Don’t Toss Damaged Items Yet (Except Health Risks)

• Unless there’s a health hazard (perished food, medications), store items until your adjuster sees them or you’ve photographed them thoroughly.
• Separate salvageable vs. non-salvageable items; label boxes by room.

6) Prioritize What’s Most Time-Sensitive

• Vital documents & keepsakes: passports, IDs, titles, insurance docs, family media.
• Textiles & soft goods: rapid smoke removal prevents permanent odor set.
• Electronics: don’t power them up; dry/cleaning protocols first.
• Waterlogged areas: extract/dry to stop secondary damage.

7) Residential Fire Damage Assessment — What It Includes

A professional fire damage assessment (residential) should document:

• Structural impact: framing, roof, sheathing, masonry.
• Heat & smoke patterns: ceilings, high walls, cavities.
• Soot characteristics: dry (light) vs. oily (protein) to choose the correct cleaning agents.
• HVAC & duct contamination: need sealing/cleaning or replacement.
• Electrical & plumbing checks: damaged conductors, melted insulation, compromised pipes.
• Indoor air quality: particulates/odor plan (filtration, negative air, hydroxyl/ozone where appropriate).
• Restoration scope: demo limits, cleaning methods, sealing, odor removal, rebuild.

8) What You Shouldn’t Do

• Don’t wash walls or textiles with random cleaners—set-in soot becomes harder to remove.
• Don’t run HVAC until inspected/cleaned.
• Don’t eat food exposed to heat, smoke, or firefighting water.
• Don’t sign assignment of benefits or contracts under pressure—review scope and warranty.

9) Fast Track Your Claim (Adjuster-Ready)

• Provide a photo log (before any major cleanup).
• Share emergency service invoices (board-up, tarping, extraction).
• Request the adjuster’s scope in writing; compare line items with your contractor’s estimate.
• Keep a single claim folder: policy/endorsements, receipts, logs, estimates, communications.

10) Timeline: First 72 Hours

• Day 0–1: Board-up/tarp, utility coordination, moisture control, photo inventory, claim open.
• Day 1–3: Assessment + estimate; selective demo; soot testing; textile/electronics pack-out; odor containment; drying and air filtration begin.

11) Rebuild & Return

• After cleaning/deodorization and clearance, rebuild can include framing repair, insulation/drywall, finish carpentry, paint, flooring, and final HVAC cleaning.
• Ask about code upgrades (ordinance/law coverage) if required by Chicago or local municipalities.

• Fire Damage Restoration
• Specialty Cleaning
• Reconstruction Services
• Helpful companion posts:
  • Water Damage Cleanup & Drying Process
  • Types of Water Damage in Chicagoland Homes

FAQs — Immediate Steps After a Fire (Chicagoland)

Q1: What are the first steps after a fire?
Ensure everyone’s safe, wait for clearance, secure openings (board-up/tarp), shut HVAC, document damage, open the claim, and start emergency mitigation.

Q2: Who pays for board-up and tarping?
You typically hire the pro; keep receipts—these costs are often covered under the policy when tied to a covered loss.

Q3: Is smoke odor permanent?
Not if addressed quickly with the right methods: source removal, proper cleaning agents, sealing, and professional deodorization.

Q4: Can I stay in the home?
If air quality, utilities, or structure are compromised, your adjuster may approve ALE (hotel/short-term housing) for a covered loss.

Q5: How long does fire restoration take?
Minor smoke cleanup can be days; significant structural and contents restoration can take weeks to months depending on scope, permits, and materials.

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

24/7 Emergency Fire Damage Services for Chicago, the North Shore, and Lake County. IICRC-certified, RIA member. We handle soot & smoke cleaning, odor removal, contents pack-out & restoration, HVAC cleaning, and full reconstruction—with the documentation your insurer needs.

Call: Chicago (773) 376-1110 • North Shore/Lake County (847) 316-9145
Addresses: 420 W. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60654 • 8124 Ridgeway Ave, Skokie, IL 60076 • 790 Estate Dr Ste 200, Deerfield, IL 60015