A house fire is one of the most disorienting things a homeowner can experience. Once the flames are out and the trucks have left, the silence that follows can feel just as overwhelming as the chaos before it. Knowing what to do in those first 24 hours can protect your health, your home, and your insurance claim.
Step 1: Don’t Go Back In Until It’s Safe
Even after firefighters clear the scene, a fire-damaged home can be dangerous. Structural instability, hidden hot spots, and toxic smoke residue all pose real risks. Wait for an official all-clear before re-entering — and when you do go in, wear an N95 mask and gloves. Soot and smoke residue contain carcinogens and should not be handled without protection.
Step 2: Call Your Insurance Company
Report the loss as soon as possible. Most policies require prompt notice. When you call, stick to the facts: what happened, when it happened, and what you can observe from the outside. Don’t speculate on cause, don’t minimize the damage, and don’t agree to anything without getting it in writing. The adjuster who calls you back works for the insurance company — not for you.
Step 3: Document Everything Before Anything Is Touched
Before any cleanup begins, photograph and video every room, every surface, and every damaged item. Open closets. Document personal property. Walk the exterior. Shoot video first, then still photos. This documentation is the foundation of your entire claim.
If contractors show up on your doorstep within hours of the fire, be cautious. You have the right to choose your own contractor. Don’t sign anything until you’ve had time to think.
Step 4: Secure the Property
Your homeowners policy typically includes coverage for emergency services — boarding up broken windows, tarping the roof, and securing entry points. This protects against weather and limits additional damage. Most policies require you to take reasonable steps to prevent further loss, so don’t skip this step.
Step 5: Arrange Temporary Housing
Most homeowners policies include Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage, sometimes called Loss of Use. This covers hotel stays, meals above your normal cost, and other expenses while your home is uninhabitable. Keep receipts for everything — your adjuster will require documentation.
Step 6: Don’t Start Permanent Repairs Yet
Emergency stabilization is fine and necessary. But don’t allow permanent repairs to begin until your insurance adjuster has inspected the property and your scope of work is agreed upon in writing. Starting too early can complicate your claim.
Step 7: Contact a Trusted Restoration Contractor
A reputable restoration contractor will walk the property with you, help you understand what you’re looking at, and document the damage thoroughly. They should be licensed in Michigan and experienced specifically with insurance restoration — not just general contracting.
What Comes Next
The first 24 hours are really about protecting two things: your safety and your claim. Don’t rush decisions. Don’t sign anything you don’t understand. And don’t assume the first number the insurance company puts on paper is final — because it almost never is.
Phase III Construction has been helping Michigan homeowners navigate fire damage claims since 1993. If you’ve just experienced a fire and don’t know where to start, call us at (734) 237-7322. We’ll walk the property with you, help document everything, and make sure your claim reflects the true cost of restoring your home.