On this page
The order matters. Nobody should go back inside until the fire department says it's safe, your insurer needs to hear from you right away, and nothing should be thrown out or repaired before the damage is documented. In older homes, the fire and the firefighting can also expose asbestos or lead paint, which changes how the cleanup has to be done.
What to do right after a house fire: safety first, then your insurer
Don't go back in until the fire department, or the authority it hands the site to, says it's safe. Calgary's guidance is plain: don't enter your home until the fire department or your insurance company tells you it's safe to do so. A fire-damaged house can hide weakened floors and ceilings, damaged wiring, gas hazards and toxic residue, and access may be limited while the cause is investigated.
- Call your insurer as soon as you can; the Montreal fire service stresses that the insurer must be told about the fire as soon as possible.
- Leave your temporary address and phone number with the fire service or the Canadian Red Cross, as the Montreal fire service advises, so you can be reached.
- Don't turn gas, electricity or water back on yourself; shut-off utilities should be checked and restored by the utility or a qualified technician.
- Don't take medication that was exposed to smoke, water, heat or chemicals; Calgary advises asking your doctor or pharmacist for a replacement.
- Don't start repairs or throw out damaged belongings before talking to your insurer or adjuster, unless something poses a health hazard.
Fire damage insurance claims: documentation, the adjuster and living expenses
Home insurance usually pays for most fire restoration, so the claim shapes every step. The Insurance Bureau of Canada's claim steps start with documenting everything: a complete list of damaged or destroyed items, with the proofs of purchase and photos you have. Next, report the claim to your insurance representative with complete, accurate details as soon as possible, and file a proof of loss if your insurer asks for one.
An adjuster assesses the damage and the scope of work, and the Montreal fire service suggests contacting one on the day of the fire. If you can't live at home, keep receipts for lodging, meals and other extra costs, since many policies cover additional living expenses; ask your insurer what yours includes and for how long. Before signing with a restoration company, confirm with your insurer how the work will be approved and paid.
The fire restoration process: board-up, water removal, soot cleaning and smoke odour removal
Once the site is released and the insurer is involved, a restoration crew works from the outside in: secure the building, stop further damage, then clean from the top down. Calgary notes that your insurer can arrange to secure the property to prevent further loss, and that you should see to securing it yourself if you can't reach your insurer.
- Board-up and tarping: plywood over broken windows and doors, and tarps over roof openings, to keep out weather, intruders and animals.
- Water removal and drying: the water used to fight the fire is pumped out, soaked materials are removed and the structure is dried to prevent mould (see our water damage page).
- Soot removal: dry soot is vacuumed and lifted with special sponges before any wet cleaning, since wiping it smears it deeper into surfaces.
- Cleaning and tear-out: walls, ceilings and framing are cleaned where possible; charred or heavily contaminated drywall, insulation and flooring are removed.
- Smoke odour removal: the smell lodges in porous materials and ducts, so it's treated at the source with thorough cleaning, sealing of affected surfaces, air filtration and duct cleaning.
Restore or replace? Contents cleaning and your inventory of belongings
Belongings that were near the fire, or that absorbed smoke, heat or water, fall into three groups: things that can be cleaned on site, things that go to a cleaning facility and things that are a total loss. Hard, non-porous items such as dishes, metal and glass usually clean well, and clothing, linens and curtains can often be professionally laundered or dry-cleaned. Mattresses, upholstered furniture, stuffed toys and anything charred or soaked with dirty water are harder to save.
Every item, saved or not, belongs on the inventory for your claim: what it is, where it was, roughly when it was bought, with photos. Restorers often pack out the contents of affected rooms, clean them off site and store them during the rebuild; ask for a room-by-room list of everything that leaves the house. In Montreal, the fire service notes that you need its permission before moving belongings into storage.
- Throw out food exposed to heat, smoke or firefighting water, and have medication that was exposed replaced after speaking with your pharmacist.
- Electronics and appliances exposed to heat, soot or water need a qualified technician's check before they're plugged back in.
- Photos, documents and keepsakes can sometimes be cleaned or dried by specialists, so set them aside rather than throwing them out.
Health risks after a fire: soot, smoke residue, asbestos and lead in older homes
Soot and smoke residue are a mix of fine particles and chemicals from everything that burned, including plastics, finishes and furnishings. That's why cleanup crews wear respiratory protection, and why children, pregnant women and people with asthma or heart or lung conditions should stay away from the site until it's clean.
In an older home, the fire and the firefighting can also break up materials that were harmless while intact. Health Canada notes that asbestos was mainly used to insulate homes before 1990 and advises against disturbing it, and says a home built before 1960 probably contains lead-based paint, which sanding or heat turns into toxic dust and fumes; even small amounts of lead dust are dangerous to infants and children. In a home from that era, have suspect materials tested before demolition and cleanup, and leave any asbestos to a qualified specialist (see our asbestos removal page).
Rebuilding after a fire: building permits, inspections and the current code
Structural repairs, new framing, electrical and plumbing work and anything beyond cosmetic cleanup usually require a building permit from your municipality, and rebuilt work generally has to meet today's code requirements rather than those in force when the house was built. That can mean upgrades the old house didn't have, so raise it with your insurer early. Where the fire affected the structure, a structural engineer may need to assess what can stay and what must be replaced, and a licensed electrician should inspect wiring damaged by heat or water before power is restored.
Replacing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms after a fire
Alarms that went through fire, smoke or water can't be trusted, and the rebuild is the time to bring coverage up to date. Health Canada recommends smoke alarms in each bedroom, in the hallway outside the bedrooms and on each level of the home, including the basement, and replacing any smoke alarm more than ten years old. For carbon monoxide, Health Canada says the most important place for an alarm is in hallways outside sleeping areas, and recommends alarms that carry a Canadian certification mark.
- Test smoke alarms every month, as Health Canada recommends, and change batteries as often as the manufacturer says.
- Write the installation date on each new alarm so you know when it's due for replacement.
- Check local rules too: municipalities and provincial fire codes can set their own alarm requirements for homes and rental units.
Fire Restoration: frequently asked questions
When can I go back into my house after a fire?
Only when the fire department, or the authority it hands the site to, says it's safe. Calgary's advice is not to enter until the fire department or your insurer tells you it's safe. Even then, go in only briefly, with protective gear, and leave the cleanup to professionals.
Who pays for fire damage restoration?
Usually your home insurance, depending on your policy. Call your insurer right away, document the damage and ask what's covered, including temporary lodging and living expenses.
Can smoke odour be removed completely?
Often, yes, when it's treated at the source: soot is removed, affected porous materials are cleaned or replaced, surfaces are sealed and ducts are cleaned. Masking the smell with fragrances doesn't last.
Where can my family stay after a house fire?
Check your insurance first: many policies cover additional living expenses. If you have nowhere to go, the fire department can direct you to emergency help from the municipality or the Canadian Red Cross.
Can I clean the soot myself?
It's best left to a restoration crew. Soot smears when wiped, its residue can be harmful to breathe and, in an older home, the debris may contain asbestos or lead. Don't start any cleaning before your insurer has seen the damage.
Do I need to replace my smoke alarms after a fire?
It's wise to replace any alarm exposed to fire, heat, smoke or water, and Health Canada recommends replacing any smoke alarm more than ten years old. Add carbon monoxide alarms outside sleeping areas if you have fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage.
Sources
- What to do after an emergency: immediate needs — City of Calgary
- Immediately after a fire — Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal
- How to file a home insurance claim — Insurance Bureau of Canada
- Health Canada: Fire safety in your home
- Health Canada: Carbon monoxide, preventing exposure
- Asbestos and your health — Health Canada
- Lead-based paint — Health Canada
Written by the LokalMatch editorial team. Reviewed by Zubair Afzal on September 10, 2026. How we write and check our guides