What Should a Business Owner Do After a Fire?
Wait until the fire department says the building is safe to enter, then call your insurer, secure the property and document the damage before cleanup starts. Those four steps protect your people, your claim and the parts of the building that can still be saved.
This guide walks through the first days after a commercial fire: what to do in order, what your insurance usually covers, how smoke and water keep causing damage after the flames are out, and how restoration gets your business open again.
Six Steps to Take in the First 48 Hours
Get the all-clear and the fire report
Wait for the fire department to release the building, and ask how to request the incident report. Insurers usually ask for it.
Call your insurer and your broker
Report the loss, get a claim number and ask what your policy covers, including business income and extra expense.
Secure the property
Board up openings, tarp the roof and fence the site if needed. Most commercial policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage.
Document everything before cleanup
Take photos and video of every room, the exterior and damaged equipment and inventory. List what was lost while it is fresh in your mind.
Keep every receipt
Board-up, temporary space, rentals, overtime and other emergency costs may be covered. Save receipts and track them by date.
Tell your people
Let employees, customers and suppliers know what happened, how to reach you and when you expect to reopen.
Why Does Fire Damage Keep Spreading After the Fire Is Out?
Because the fire leaves two other problems behind: smoke residue and water. Both keep damaging the building and its contents until they are cleaned up.
- Soot is acidic. Left in place, it can stain surfaces and corrode metal, fixtures and electronics.
- Smoke travels through ventilation and settles in rooms the fire never reached.
- Odor soaks into drywall, ceiling tiles, carpet, fabric and paper goods.
- Water from firefighting soaks floors, walls and inventory, and wet materials can grow mold within days.
- Heat can damage wiring, HVAC equipment and sprinkler systems in ways that are not visible right away.
What Does Commercial Insurance Usually Cover After a Fire?
Coverage depends on your policy, so read it with your broker. Commercial property policies are often built from the coverages below, and knowing their names makes the conversation with your adjuster easier.
| Coverage | What it usually pays for | What to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Building or property | Repairs to the structure you own | Photos, the restoration scope and repair estimates |
| Business personal property | Equipment, furniture, inventory and supplies | Inventory lists, invoices and photos of damaged items |
| Business income | Lost net income while you cannot operate, often after a waiting period | Sales history, tax returns and records of the closure |
| Extra expense | Costs to keep operating, such as temporary space or overtime | Receipts and a log of each expense |
| Civil authority | Lost income when officials block access to your property | Notices or orders that closed the area |
How Do You Protect Your Business Interruption Claim?
Business income claims are based on records, so start keeping them on day one.
- Pull sales reports for the same months last year and the months before the fire.
- Write down the date and time the business closed and every date parts of it reopen.
- Keep payroll records, including staff you kept paying while closed.
- Log every extra cost of staying open, from temporary space to rush shipping.
- Ask your restoration company for a written timeline of the work, which supports the period of closure.
What Happens During Commercial Fire Restoration?
A commercial fire job moves from making the building safe, to cleaning and drying, to rebuilding. A single team that handles all three keeps the documentation in one place for your adjuster.
- Assessment of structural, electrical and contamination hazards, and a written scope.
- Emergency board-up, roof tarping and fencing to secure the site.
- Water removal and drying where firefighting water soaked the building.
- Soot and smoke residue cleaned from structure, ventilation and contents.
- Odor removed at the source rather than covered up.
- Contents and inventory packed out, cleaned, stored or listed for your claim.
- Reconstruction and a final walkthrough before you reopen.
Learn more about fire damage restoration and commercial restoration, or see how we work in restaurants and hotels, office buildings, retail stores and warehouses.
Fire Damage Recovery FAQs
When can I go back into my business after a fire?
Who pays for fire damage cleanup at my business?
Does business interruption insurance cover lost income after a fire?
Can smoke-damaged equipment and inventory be saved?
How long does commercial fire restoration take?
Do I need an inspection before reopening?
Fire at Your Business?
Call 911 Restoration any hour. We will secure the property, document the loss for your insurer and plan the work so you can reopen as soon as possible. Available 24/7.
