Fire and smoke damage in Hemet
After a fire, the soot, the smell and the hose water are all damage. Call to reach an independent contractor who handles fire, smoke and the water that followed.
Tap to call. Say your ZIP code and what happened.
Three kinds of damage at once
Heat and flame destroy materials. Smoke leaves a film and an odor that spreads through the house, including rooms far from the fire. Water from hoses soaks the structure.
A small stove fire can still leave soot on every surface in the kitchen and a smell in the closets.
Before cleanup starts
Wait for the all-clear
Do not go back inside until the fire department says it is safe.
Do not wipe soot with a wet rag
Wiping smears it into the surface. A contractor uses dry sponges first.
Keep a list
Write down what was damaged, with photos, for the insurer.
Ask about the utilities
Gas and electric may need to be checked before they are turned back on.
What the contractor does
Cleaning depends on the surface. Hard surfaces are cleaned, soft goods may be laundered or professionally cleaned, and charred materials are removed. Odor takes extra steps and often a sealer on the framing.
Water from firefighting is handled like any water loss, with extraction and drying. Mold can start if wet materials stay in place, so drying is not optional.
Insurance and fire
Fire is a covered cause under most homeowners policies, but the details differ, and some coverage is limited by amount or by item. Read the policy or ask your insurer before you approve any scope of work.
The insurance guide lists what the state says about protecting the property and keeping receipts.
Common questions
Can I stay in the house?
Ask the fire department and your insurer. Smoke and soot can make rooms unpleasant or unsafe even when the structure is sound.
Does the same number handle fire and water?
Yes. The contractor offer covers water, fire and mold, and the contractor tells you what they will take on.
Water in the house right now?
Call, give your ZIP code, and say what happened. You will be connected with an independent restoration contractor. Calling early gives you more choices than calling after the damage has spread.
(951) 507-1096