It is important to understand the basic characteristics of the fire. Fire spreads quickly; there is no time to gather valuables or make a phone call. There is little time! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a property or for it to be engulfed in flames. Most deadly fires occur on the property when people are asleep. If you wake up to a fire, you won’t have time to grab valuables because fire spreads too quickly and the smoke is too thick. There is only time to escape.

Heat and smoke from a fire can be more dangerous than the flames. Inhaling the super-hot air can sear your lungs. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Instead of being awakened by a fire, you may fall into a deeper sleep. Stay away from the structure and do not walk through the affected areas as you will be contaminated with toxic chemicals.

Stay away from the burn site and surrounding areas. Don’t track material that could contain toxins through the property or building. Let a professional assess the following conditions;

• Type of Structure Damaged
• Primary Property – Structural Damage
• Roof/Trusses
• Exterior Walls
• Interior Walls
• Floors/Flooring
• Foundation
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• A/C and Heat (Ventilation system)
• Is structure uninhabitable
• Is structure unsafe to enter or occupy
• Should power remain off
• Is engineering needed for repair
• Is or was there water in the structure
• Property or building experienced previous loss
• Were pictures taken before, during or after the loss

• CLASS A: involve common combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, trash and plastics. They are common in typical commercial and home settings, but can occur anywhere these types of materials are found.
• CLASS B: involve flammable liquids’ gases, solvents, oil, gasoline, paint, lacquers, tars and other synthetic or oil-based products. Class B fires often spread rapidly and, unless properly secured, can reflash after the flames are extinguished.
• CLASS C: involve energized electrical equipment, such as wiring, controls, motors, data processing panels or appliances. They can be caused by a spark, power surge or short circuit and typically occur in locations that are difficult to reach and see.
• CLASS D: involve combustible metals such as magnesium and sodium. Combustible metal fires are unique industrial hazards which require special dry powder agents.
• CLASS K: involve combustible cooking media such as oils and grease commonly found in commercial kitchens. The new cooking media formulations used form commercial food preparation require a special wet chemical extinguishing agent that is specially suited for extinguishing and suppressing these extremely hot fires that have the ability to reflash.

• Contact a National First Response so we can begin your insurance claim and secure your property.
• Contact your local disaster relief service, such as The Red Cross, if you need temporary housing, food and medicines.
• Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is open for review and not still under investigation and that all utilities are turned off.
• If you leave your property, contact the local police department to let them know the site will be unoccupied.
• Save receipts for any money you spend related to fire loss. The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company and for verifying losses claimed on income tax.

• Touch, move or remove items or personal property until after the fire marshal has completed the investigation of cause and origin.
• Attempt to reconnect utilities (electric, gas, water) yourself.
• Dust, sweep, or vacuum debris as they are toxic.
• Throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made.
• Walk around the burn site or surrounding areas as you will become contaminated with toxins.