My Roof Has Been Damaged by Fire - What Do I Do Next?

5/23/2018 (Permalink)

If your building in Danbury, CT, has caught on fire, there is a good chance that the building itself, along with your belongings, has been damaged not only by fire, but by water used to extinguish the fire, as well as smoke. The roof may be damaged by fire, or firefighters may have cut holes in the roof to allow for ventilation. Recovery from a fire and fire cleanup may be unpleasant and tedious, but the following steps will guide you in completing the task and enable you to return to normal business as soon as possible.

1. Report a claim for fire damage to your insurance company.

Your insurance company can be a valuable resource during the fire cleanup process. The insurance agent or claims representative will document details of the loss and tell you what is covered under your insurance policy. Your insurance company can also make recommendations for roof repair or tarp services.

2. Enter a fire-damaged building only after you are advised it is safe to do so.

Pieces from a damaged roof can fall and cause injury. Fires can also reignite, causing more damage. At the time of the fire, the fire department determined if the water, gas and electric utilities were safe to use and had them disconnected if they were unsafe. You should not try to reconnect the utilities yourself. Follow any instructions the fire department gives you about going back into the building.

3. Contact a fire restoration service to secure the building.

To prevent further damage, a fire restoration service can come to your building, board up windows and place a tarp on the roof. The last thing you would want is for rain or wind to cause further damage to your building. A tarp on the roof goes a long way toward preventing additional damage.

A building fire in Danbury, CT, can be a devastating loss, but taking the appropriate steps for fire cleanup and recovery can save you time and money. This can help your business return to normal in a reasonable amount of time.

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