A house fire is one of the most disorienting things a homeowner can go through. Even after the fire department has cleared the scene, the damage is far from over, smoke, soot, and the water used to fight the fire will keep affecting your home if they are not addressed quickly. Here is what actually needs to happen in the first two days.
Hour One: Confirm It Is Safe To Re-Enter
Do not go back into the home until the fire department has officially cleared it. Structural damage from fire is not always visible, and floors, ceilings, and roof structures can be compromised even when a room looks intact. If firefighters say to wait, wait.
Contact Your Insurance Company Immediately
Report the fire to your insurer the same day if at all possible. Ask directly whether your policy covers additional living expenses while your home is unlivable, since many Louisiana homeowners do not realize this coverage exists until they ask. Get a claim number and the name of your assigned adjuster before you hang up.
Document Before You Touch Anything
Walk through and photograph or video every room, every damaged item, and every affected surface before any cleanup begins. This includes smoke staining on walls and ceilings in rooms that were not directly burned, since smoke damage spreads throughout a home's HVAC system far beyond the room where the fire started.
Do Not Attempt To Clean Smoke Damage Yourself
Soot is acidic and continues to damage surfaces, fabric, and finishes the longer it sits, but household cleaners often smear soot deeper into porous materials and can make professional restoration more difficult, not less. Fabrics, drywall, and even metal fixtures need specific treatment methods depending on the type of smoke residue involved.
Secure the Property
If firefighting efforts left windows broken or a section of roof open, get the property boarded up and tarped as soon as possible. An open home invites further water damage from rain, pest intrusion, and in the worst cases, looting. Most restoration companies, including ours, offer emergency board-up as part of the initial response.
Call a Restoration Company Within 24 Hours
The sooner professional smoke and soot removal begins, the more of your home and belongings can realistically be saved rather than replaced. We work directly with Louisiana insurers, document every step for your claim, and handle everything from board-up and water extraction from firefighting efforts to full smoke odor removal and structural cleaning.
- Emergency board-up and tarping available 24/7
- Full documentation provided directly to your insurance adjuster
- Specialized smoke and soot removal for walls, contents, and HVAC systems
- IICRC certified fire and smoke restoration technicians