Wait for the all-clear
Do not go back in until the fire department says the building is safe. Fire weakens floors, roofs and stairs, and hidden hot spots can flare up.
Fire, smoke or soot damage affecting the property?
After a fire, the building needs securing, water removal from firefighting, soot and smoke cleanup, odor removal and rebuilding. Once authorities allow entry, call 833-877-1717. RepairNowUSA connects the request. An independent provider does the work.
Am I in the right place?Yes for fire, smoke, soot or firefighting water damage.
Is this urgent?Yes. Soot is corrosive and openings need securing. Wait for the fire department’s all-clear.
What do I do next?Call 833-877-1717 once the scene is released.
Openings: board-up. Smoke: smoke damage. Soot: soot cleanup.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 14, 2026 · Review standards
What to do now
Secure the property
Broken windows, doors and roof openings let in rain and intruders. Ask for emergency board-up or roof tarping as soon as the scene is released.
Call your insurer early
Report the loss, ask what they need and keep every receipt. Photograph each room before anything is moved or thrown away.
Re-entry safety
Do not re-enter a fire-damaged building until the fire department says it is safe. Have utilities checked before restoring power or gas. Soot and smoke residue can irritate lungs; wear protection and keep children and pets away.
Common situations
Water from firefighting
Hoses and sprinklers can leave far more water than the fire damage itself. Wet floors, walls and ceilings need water extraction and drying before mold can start.
Smoke and soot in every room
Smoke travels through open doors, wall cavities and ductwork, so rooms far from the fire can still need smoke damage cleanup and soot cleanup.
Lingering odor
Smoke odor soaks into drywall, insulation, carpet and fabric. Surface cleaning alone rarely removes it. See fire odor removal.
Charred or weakened structure
Burned framing, roof decking and subfloor are usually removed and rebuilt. Wiring and gas lines near the fire need inspection by licensed trades before use.
What to have ready when you call
- Property ZIP code and whether it is a home, rental or business
- When the fire happened and which rooms burned
- Whether the fire department has released the property
- Whether power, gas and water are on or shut off
- Any openings in the roof, walls or windows that need covering
- Your insurance claim number, if you already have one
How fire damage restoration usually works
- Assessment. The provider walks the property, notes fire, smoke and water damage room by room, and checks what can be cleaned and what must be replaced.
- Securing. Openings are boarded up or tarped so weather and intruders stay out.
- Water removal and drying. Firefighting water is extracted and the structure is dried with air movers and dehumidifiers.
- Soot and smoke cleaning. Surfaces are cleaned with methods matched to the residue, such as dry chemical sponges and HEPA vacuums before any wet cleaning.
- Odor removal. Deodorization treats odor in the structure and contents, and air ducts may be cleaned.
- Contents and rebuild. Salvageable belongings may be packed out for cleaning. Burned materials are removed and the damaged areas are rebuilt.
Small kitchen fires may take days. Larger losses with structural damage can take months, and the insurer’s review often sets the pace. Ask the provider for a written scope that separates emergency work from rebuild work.
What happens when you call RepairNowUSA
- Describe what is happening in plain words and give the property ZIP code. You do not need to know which trade to ask for.
- RepairNowUSA checks for a participating independent provider who handles fire damage restoration in that area.
- If one is available, you are connected. The provider confirms timing, access, scope and price with you before any work.
- The provider, not RepairNowUSA, diagnoses and performs the repair.
RepairNowUSA is a referral and connection service. Provider availability and response times vary by location, time and demand, and are not guaranteed. Before you approve work, ask what was found, the price, the timing and what is not included.
Call 833-877-1717Fire questions
How soon should fire cleanup start?
As soon as the fire department releases the property. Soot residue can discolor surfaces and become harder to clean over time, and firefighting water starts the clock on mold.
Can I stay in the house after a small fire?
Only if the fire department says it is safe and the utilities have been checked. Smoke residue can irritate the lungs, so people with asthma, young children and older adults may need to stay elsewhere until cleanup is done.
Should I throw away food after a fire?
Food exposed to heat, smoke, soot or firefighting water is generally unsafe, even in sealed containers or the refrigerator. When in doubt, throw it out.
Does insurance cover fire restoration?
RepairNowUSA cannot answer for your policy. Most homeowner and commercial property policies address fire, but coverage, deductibles and limits vary. Contact your insurer early, document everything and keep receipts.
Do I need separate companies for water, smoke and rebuild?
Some restoration providers handle all of it. Others hand rebuild work to a general contractor. Ask the provider what they do themselves and what they subcontract.
Can I call at night or on a weekend?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.
Authoritative references
These public sources give general safety context. They do not replace an on-site evaluation, and RepairNowUSA does not perform the work.