What to Do Immediately After a Fire: Step-by-Step Fire Restoration Guide for Homeowners and Businesses
- Relief Restorations
- Nov 15
- 8 min read
Introduction
A fire leaves more than visible damage. Smoke, soot, odour, and water from firefighting can continue to harm your building and contents in the hours that follow. Taking clear, immediate steps protects people first, then stabilizes the property so recovery can begin.
This guide walks Winnipeg homeowners and business owners through the crucial first actions, what to do, what to avoid, and how to set up a smooth, well-documented path to professional fire restoration.
Section 1 – Ensure Safety First
• Wait for official clearance. Do not re-enter until the fire department or authorities confirm it’s safe. Even a small fire can weaken floors, stairs, and roof members; ceilings may sag, glass can shatter, and energized circuits can arc.
• Watch for hidden hazards. Assume there are toxic residues in the air and on surfaces. If limited re-entry is permitted to grab essentials, wear sturdy footwear, gloves, eye protection, and a properly fitted respirator (P100 or equivalent). Keep children, seniors, and pets out.
• Control utilities. If advised by authorities, keep power off at the main service and leave gas shut-offs to qualified personnel or your utility provider. Do not switch lights or appliances on to “test” them; electrical components and motors may be soot-contaminated or wet.
• Do not run HVAC. Forced-air systems spread soot and odours throughout the building and into ductwork and insulation. Close supply/return registers if safe to do so.
• Handle essentials only. Retrieve IDs, medications, and critical documents if permitted. Avoid touching soot-covered items; residues are acidic and can etch finishes or embed odours when handled.
• Protect health. Do not consume food, beverages, or medicines exposed to heat, smoke, or firefighting water. Discard them later under guidance from professionals.
Section 2 – Secure the Property and Prepare for Fire Restoration
• Stabilize the building envelope. Broken windows, doors, and roof openings invite weather damage and theft. Arrange emergency board-up, door and window securing, and roof tarping as soon as possible. In winter conditions, rapid enclosure prevents freezing damage and burst pipes; in wet seasons it blocks rain intrusion.
• Control moisture early. Firefighting often leaves significant water behind. Prompt extraction and targeted drying reduce secondary damage and mould risk within 48–72 hours. Even if the primary concern is smoke and soot, moisture control is part of a successful fire restoration plan.
• Document everything. Take wide shots and close-ups of each affected area before any cleanup. Capture serial numbers, damaged finishes, and contents where possible. Keep receipts for emergency purchases (lodging, clothing, toiletries). A qualified restoration team can create a structured photo log, inventory, and moisture/soot readings that support your claim.
• Protect contents. If safe, group fragile or high-value items for professional pack-out and cleaning. Do not wipe, wash, or discard items yet, incorrect cleaning can set stains or make odours permanent, and discarding too early can complicate coverage.
• Secure access. Lock doors, restrict entry, and, if needed, install temporary fencing. Limit who goes inside to prevent cross-contamination, missing items, or accidental disturbance of residues.
• Manage utilities and winterization. If the structure will be unoccupied, arrange a safe drain-down of plumbing and confirm that gas and electrical systems remain off until inspected by licensed trades.
• Engage qualified help promptly. Emergency board-up, moisture control, air filtration, and initial soot control are time-sensitive tasks. Bringing in a trusted local fire restoration firm at this stage helps stabilize the loss quickly, reduce ongoing corrosion and odour, and produce thorough documentation you can provide to your insurer. This approach keeps you in the driver’s seat and sets the stage for a faster, more predictable recovery.
Section 3 – Contact Fire Restoration Experts Immediately
Once the property is secured and safe to enter, the next critical step is reaching out to a professional restoration company. Fire residues; soot, ash, odour, and water from firefighting, are corrosive and time-sensitive. Within hours, metals can tarnish, plastics can stain permanently, and odours can sink deep into walls and fabrics. The faster these issues are addressed, the more that can be saved.
A certified fire restoration team responds immediately to stabilize the situation. They can:
Set up HEPA air scrubbers and negative air pressure systems to begin purifying the indoor air.
Extract excess water and start controlled drying to prevent mould.
Apply targeted cleaning solutions to neutralize acidic soot before it etches surfaces.
Pack out salvageable belongings for specialized cleaning.
Document the entire site with photographs, notes, and inventories.
By calling a trusted restoration company first, homeowners and business owners ensure that the work starts quickly and that detailed, professional documentation is prepared right away. This information becomes invaluable for insurance claims later. Importantly, reaching out directly to a restoration professional puts you in control of who handles your property, rather than waiting for an insurer to assign a contractor.
Section 4 – Notify Your Insurance Company
Once a restoration company is on site and has begun stabilizing the property, the next step is to contact your insurance provider. They will need to know about the incident and will begin the claims process. Having professional documentation, photos, moisture readings, inventories, and written reports, already underway makes this conversation smoother and ensures nothing is overlooked.
Restoration companies often communicate directly with insurance adjusters to provide technical details and scope of work. This saves homeowners and business owners from having to explain complex issues on their own and helps keep the claim moving efficiently.
It’s important to remember that your insurance company is there to manage the financial side of the recovery, while your restoration company is there to save as much of your property as possible. By establishing restoration first, then bringing your insurer into the loop, you align both sides of the process, damage control and claim approval, without losing valuable time.
Section 5 – Protect Important Belongings
After a fire, it’s natural to want to salvage as much as possible. However, approaching this step carefully is important to avoid further damage or health risks. If authorities and your restoration team confirm it’s safe, focus first on collecting the essentials:
Identification and financial records – passports, driver’s licenses, insurance documents, and bank records.
Medication and health supplies – any prescriptions or medical devices that are critical to daily life.
Valuables and sentimental items – jewelry, keepsakes, photo albums, or heirlooms.
Technology – phones, laptops, and other devices that may contain vital personal or business information.
Avoid discarding damaged property too quickly. What may look unsalvageable to you could often be restored with specialized cleaning. For example, electronics exposed to soot can sometimes be recovered if handled correctly, and textiles may be deodorized and washed using ozone or hydroxyl treatments. Throwing items away before a professional inspection can complicate your insurance claim and result in unnecessary loss.
A restoration company can perform a pack-out service, carefully inventorying, boxing, and removing salvageable contents for off-site cleaning. This not only protects what can be saved but also gives you an organized record for insurance purposes. Leaving this step in expert hands ensures belongings are treated with care and increases the chances of recovery.
Section 6 – Health and Safety Precautions
Fires leave behind more than visible damage. Smoke and soot residues are acidic and can contain toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and even heavy metals, depending on what materials burned. Without the proper equipment, attempting DIY cleanup exposes you to harmful substances that can irritate the lungs, eyes, and skin, or cause long-term health problems.
Here are essential safety guidelines:
Avoid DIY cleaning: Household vacuums and cleaners aren’t designed for fire residues. Using them can spread soot further or drive contaminants deeper into surfaces.
Don’t touch soot-covered items: Oils from your skin can set stains permanently into fabrics, metals, or painted surfaces.
Wear protective equipment if entry is necessary: At minimum, this means gloves, eye protection, sturdy footwear, and a respirator rated for fine particulates (P100).
Don’t consume exposed food or medicine: Even if packaging looks intact, smoke and soot can permeate and contaminate consumables.
Leave utilities to professionals: Never attempt to restore gas, electrical, or HVAC systems on your own. These must be inspected and signed off by licensed experts.
By treating the site as hazardous until professionals confirm otherwise, you protect your health and avoid creating additional damage. Restoration teams are trained to work safely in these conditions, using industry-standard PPE, HEPA filtration systems, and containment methods to remove toxins while minimizing risk.
Section 7 – Prepare for the Recovery Process
Once the immediate dangers are managed and the property is stabilized, it’s important to understand that recovery after a fire is a process, not a single step. Knowing what to expect helps homeowners and businesses stay calm and informed.
A typical fire restoration timeline looks like this:
Emergency response – Securing the property, setting up air scrubbers, controlling water damage, and establishing containment.
Assessment and planning – Restoration specialists document the damage thoroughly, test residues, and create a scope of work.
Cleaning and deodorization – Soot removal from walls, ceilings, and surfaces; odor treatment using ozone, hydroxyl, or thermal fogging.
Contents restoration – Packing out, cleaning, and deodorizing salvageable belongings such as furniture, electronics, clothing, and documents.
Repairs and rebuild – Once the structure is clean and safe, repairs begin: replacing drywall, insulation, flooring, and finishes as needed.
Final inspection – Ensuring the property is fully restored, safe, and comfortable for occupancy.
Fire recovery can take time depending on the severity of the damage, but having a trusted restoration partner ensures that every stage is handled properly. This not only protects your property and belongings but also gives you peace of mind that nothing is being overlooked.
Conclusion
The hours immediately after a fire are overwhelming, but they’re also the most critical for protecting your property and health. By prioritizing safety, securing your home or business, and calling a professional fire restoration company right away, you take control of the situation and set the stage for a smooth recovery. Once restoration experts are on site, your insurance company can step in with complete documentation to move your claim forward efficiently.
At Relief Restorations, we understand the urgency and stress of fire loss. Our certified team is available 24/7 to help Winnipeg and surrounding community homeowners and business owners secure their property, clean smoke and soot residues, remove odours, and restore belongings with care. From the first board-up to the final repair, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Don’t wait, every minute matters after a fire. Call Relief Restorations today at (833) 367-7354 or request an inspection online for fast, professional fire restoration services that put your recovery first.
Contact Relief Restorations Today
Schedule a mould air test, moisture survey, asbestos testing, remediation, inspection or consultation with our team to ensure your home is protected. Let us help you safeguard your home and restore peace of mind, knowing that you’re in good hands.
Our Services Include:
Water Damage – Restoration | Content Services | Moisture Surveys
Fire & Smoke Damage – Restorations | Content Services | Odour Removal
Mould – Remediation | Air Testing | Fogging | Inspections
Asbestos – Remediation | Testing | Inventories | Inspections
Non-Structural Demolition Services
Other Services:
Contents Services – Packout | Packback | Cleaning | Restoration
Ceiling Stipple Removal
Vermiculite Removal
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About Relief Restorations
At Relief Restorations, we specialize in providing comprehensive restoration services, including mould remediation, water damage restoration, fire and smoke damage restoration, asbestos removal, light demolition, inspection and testing services across Winnipeg and Manitoba, Canada.
With a focus on safety and quality, our expert team is dedicated to restoring your property and ensuring a healthier living environment. Whether you're a homeowner, business, tenant, landlord, or property manager, you can trust us to handle any restoration or remediation challenge with professionalism and care.
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