An accidental fire can spread in seconds and decimate a home within minutes.
Condo fires endanger people in the home, and even small fires can cause thousands of dollars in damage.
This guide will cover the steps you should take after a condo fire and the common causes that can ignite fires. Keep reading to learn more.
4 Steps To Take After a Condo Fire
Recovering from a fire isn’t easy. The damage may affect common areas or neighboring condos. We’ll cover the steps to minimize problems and help you with the fire damage restoration process.
1. Inspect the Damage
Once the flames are put out, and you’ve ensured your family is safe, you can inspect the damage. Make sure you’ve received permission from firefighters before entering your home.
Start by looking for any important documents to retrieve, such as identification, social security cards, birth certificates, and others. Look to inspect the fire damage without putting yourself in danger.
2. Call Your Insurance Company
Regardless of what or who caused the fire, you must contact your insurance provider immediately to inform them about the incident.
They’ll need to send adjusters and investigators to your location. Make sure to file for casualty loss and start the process as soon as possible.
When filing, give your insurance agent detailed information on the extent of the damage to your condo, how the fire started, and any impact on adjacent units. Schedule an adjuster’s inspection immediately to speed up the insurance claims process.
3. Call a Fire Damage Restoration Expert
In many cases, a condo fire at your apartment complex won’t cause a total loss of the building. Minor fires can lead to damage in several units. However, you might not be able to live in the unit until the damage is restored.
Finding a local fire restoration company like All Dry USA can help mitigate smoke damage, rebuild your property, and ensure it’s safe for residents. Being proactive and calling a fire damage restoration expert will help minimize further damage that can be caused by having the fire damage linger.
4. Document the Restoration Process
Depending on the extent of the fire, you might be able to salvage some personal items and property after the fire. Once you’re permitted to enter your home again, document the damage along with any items that may have been damaged.
Your insurance adjuster or a public adjuster can be hired to aid in documenting large losses. If it was someone else’s fault, you could receive compensation for these damages and losses.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Condo Fires?
Identifying how condo fires start can help prevent them in the future and keep your property and family safe.
Cooking
49% of residential fires are caused by cooking. They’re commonly caused by grease overheating in an oven or stove. Grease is flammable and can combust and ignite when it reaches about 600 degrees.
Heating Appliances
Home space heaters can result in fires when fabrics or other combustibles are too close. Heaters that use fuel are especially dangerous since they can blow up or ignite if not properly watched. Always follow the instructions and warning from the manufacturer to prevent these occurrences.
Electrical Fires
Electrical fires have accounted for 51,000 fires, 1,400 injuries, 500 deaths, and nearly $1.3 billion in property damage.
This occurs due to loose connections or short circuits, causing overheating or sparks. If you have old, faulty wiring systems, having a professional electrician check them is helpful. And never perform electrical repairs unless you have extensive experience doing so.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re still wondering what happens after the fire, we’ve answered a few commonly asked questions below.
How Should I Document Fire Damage to My Condo?
Take pictures and videos of the damages once it’s safe to go inside your unit. Compile receipts for large items such as TVs, appliances, computers, furniture, and other expensive equipment. Then send a loss inventory sheet, so your adjuster can help you recover any losses from the fire damage.
Is Water Damage a Concern After a Condo Fire?
After putting out a condo fire, water can creep nearly anywhere, leading to unwanted mold. There are many places to look for where there may be residual water damage.
These include places such as your drywall, under the carpets, the floors, the ceiling, outlets, and electrical circuits. If not addressed immediately, water damage can turn into a serious mold problem or structural damage.
Who Repairs Damage From a Condo Fire?
Fire damage restoration companies help you to return a property to its pre-loss condition. Many steps are involved in restoring a condo after a fire, such as property board-up, debris, odor, soot removal, demolition, contents cleaning, and removal of disturbed hazards like asbestos and lead.
Fire damage restoration professionals will even perform the necessary repairs to rebuild the damaged areas. This includes replacing drywall, electricals, flooring, interior counters, fixtures, and others.
Suffered a Condo Fire? We Can Help!
When a disaster strikes your home, it’s imperative to act quickly.
If your condo has recently suffered a devastating loss from fire, All Dry USA is here to help. We’ll help you every step, including fire and water damage repairs, cleanup, mold remediation, and reconstruction.
We’re available 24/7, so call us today!