Who to Call After a House Fire — And in What Order
A calm, step-by-step guide for Central Florida homeowners. From 911 to insurance to a vetted restoration pro — here's exactly who to call, why each call matters, and what happens if you wait too long. Ryan Solberg answers personally 24/7.
Who to Call After a House Fire — In This Order
Most homeowners don't know that calling a fire restoration company early is just as urgent as calling insurance. Here's the complete sequence — and why each call matters.
911 & the Fire Department — if not already done
If any fire is still active, this is your only call. Stay outside. Do not re-enter the property until fire officials explicitly declare the structure safe — not just fire-free. Weakened floors and ceilings collapse, exposed wiring re-ignites, and smoke-filled air is toxic. Ask the responding fire department for an incident report number before they leave — your insurance company will need it.
Medical Care — for smoke inhalation and burns
Smoke inhalation is a medical emergency even when it does not feel like one. Carbon monoxide and toxic combustion products build up in the body and symptoms can appear hours later. Anyone who was inside the structure during or immediately after the fire — especially children, elderly adults, or anyone with respiratory conditions — should be evaluated at an emergency room. Do not skip this step to deal with property concerns. People first, property second.
Your Insurance Company — open a claim immediately
Call your homeowner's insurance carrier the same day. Report the fire, get a claim number, and ask for adjuster scheduling. Early claimants get earlier adjuster appointments — and every day of delay is a day the property sits unprotected and unmitigated. Ask specifically about Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage, which pays for a hotel or temporary rental while your home is being restored. Most standard homeowner's policies in Florida include ALE — but you have to ask. If you rent, call your renter's insurance carrier and your landlord.
A Fire Damage Restoration Company — this call cannot wait
This is the call most homeowners make too late. After firefighters leave, the damage clock does not stop — it accelerates. Soot is acidic and begins etching metal surfaces, electronics, and tile grout within hours. Smoke penetrates walls, insulation, and HVAC ducts the longer it sits. Water from firefighting creates mold conditions within 24–48 hours. The property is also unsecured — broken windows and roof breaches are open to weather and theft. Call 321-420-7274 — Ryan answers 24/7 and dispatches a vetted local restoration pro to begin emergency board-up, roof tarping, and water extraction immediately. Emergency protective work is covered by your insurance policy and does not require adjuster authorization first.
Utility Companies — disconnect or restore safely
Do not flip breakers or use any electrical appliances until a licensed electrician has inspected the system. Heat causes insulation to melt and wiring to arc in ways that are not visually obvious. Your matched restoration pro can coordinate utility inspection and safe disconnection or reconnection. For gas lines, do not turn gas back on until a licensed plumber or your gas company has inspected all connections. If utilities need emergency disconnection before you can reach providers, the fire department can often do this at the scene.
The American Red Cross & Local Disaster Relief
If you need emergency shelter, food, clothing, or personal care items — call the American Red Cross (1-800-RED-CROSS) or contact your local county emergency management office. These services are free for fire survivors. The Red Cross can also help you access community resources, connect with government assistance programs, and navigate immediate recovery needs. There is no shame in using these services — they exist specifically for this situation.
Your Mortgage Lender & (if renting) Your Landlord
Insurance claim checks for major losses are frequently issued jointly to you and your mortgage lender — the lender has an insurable interest in the property. Contact your lender early so they know a claim is in progress and can brief you on their endorsement process for claim disbursements. If you rent, notify your landlord immediately — they need to file their own property claim, and in most cases you have a lease obligation to report fire damage promptly. Your landlord's carrier covers the structure; your renter's insurance covers your personal belongings.
Why Calling a Restoration Company Early Changes Everything
When firefighters leave, most homeowners assume the emergency is over. It isn't. Fire damage is a process, not an event — and every hour the property sits unprotected, damage compounds.
A vetted pro from the CFDR network can begin emergency protective work within hours of your call — and none of it requires waiting for your adjuster. Emergency board-up, tarping, and water extraction are explicitly covered by virtually all homeowner's policies. Waiting only increases your loss.
What Your Matched Pro Does First
Windows, doors, and any structural breaches secured against weather and theft — within hours of your call, before reconstruction is planned.
Open or fire-damaged roof sections tarped immediately. Prevents rain from compounding an already severe situation.
Firefighting can introduce thousands of gallons. Industrial extractors remove standing water before mold conditions develop.
HEPA air scrubbers deployed immediately. Containment barriers isolate unaffected areas. Soot spread stops.
Ozone treatment and thermal fogging tackle smoke odor at the molecular level — not masking it, eliminating it.
Your matched pro writes the estimate in Xactimate, communicates directly with your adjuster, and handles supplements — you don't manage both sides.
Common Mistakes After a House Fire That Cost Homeowners Thousands
In the chaos after a fire, well-meaning actions can permanently worsen your situation. Here's what not to do — and why.
Wiping soot yourself
Dry wiping soot spreads it and drives it deeper into porous surfaces. Soot contains oily, acidic particles that permanently stain walls, fabrics, and grout when rubbed. Professionals use dry chemical sponges and HEPA equipment specifically designed for soot.
Running your HVAC or fans
Turning on your air handler circulates smoke particles and soot throughout every room, including areas the fire never reached. It can also deposit soot deep into your ductwork, requiring full duct cleaning or replacement.
Throwing away damaged items
Your insurance settlement depends on a documented inventory of every item damaged or destroyed. Items discarded before your adjuster or restoration pro documents them simply disappear from your claim — lowering your payout. Do not throw anything away until your matched pro has inventoried and photographed it.
Delaying the restoration call
The most common and costly mistake. Smoke odor penetration, soot etching, and mold from firefighting water all worsen exponentially with time. A restoration company called the same day can often save belongings that would be total losses 48 hours later.
Hiring an unlicensed contractor
Fire restoration work requires licensed contractors, and in Florida, permits are required for most structural and systems work. Unlicensed work will not pass inspection, may not be covered by insurance, and can delay your return to the home by weeks.
Using water to clean soot
Water activates the acidic compounds in soot and can cause it to spread and permanently stain surfaces that dry cleaning would have saved. Wet cleaning of soot is a professional technique requiring the right chemistry — not a DIY approach with a wet rag.
How Fire Damage Claims Work in Florida
Your matched pro handles the insurance side — from the initial estimate to the final supplement. Here's what that process looks like.
What Insurance Covers
What Your Matched Pro Does for Your Claim
Why the CFDR Network — Not a National Chain
National Chains
- Overwhelmed after regional fire events
- Crews dispatched from out of state
- Call centers — not the person doing the work
- Unfamiliar with FL insurance carriers
- Don't know local permitting requirements
- Different crew on every visit
Central Florida Disaster Recovery
- Always local — vetted Central Florida crews
- Ryan Solberg answers personally, 24/7
- Network of pros already in your county
- Deep FL insurance carrier knowledge
- Know Orange, Osceola, Seminole permitting
- Same matched pro from first call to final walkthrough
Related Fire Services
Who to Call After a House Fire — Common Questions
Fire & Smoke Restoration Across Central Florida
House Fire in Central Florida?
Don't let smoke, soot, and water sit. Ryan answers 24/7 — local vetted crews dispatched immediately. We protect your home, document everything, and handle your insurance claim start to finish.