What to Do After a Fire: A Guide for Homeowners

A house fire can feel overwhelming, but knowing the right steps to take immediately after can help keep you safe and speed up the recovery process. The most important things to do after a fire are: ensure everyone is safe, call JAE’s fire and smoke restoration team, and then contact your insurer.

Ensure Safety First

Your safety is the top priority after a fire.

• Wait for clearance: Do not re-enter your home until emergency services confirm it is safe.
• Check for hazards: Fire damage can weaken structures, leave behind hot spots, and release harmful smoke particles.
• Seek medical attention: Even minor smoke inhalation can have health effects, get checked if you’ve been exposed.
• Once it’s safe to go back inside: Take precautions, wear a respirator with particulate filters to protect yourself from smoke and soot particles.
• Food: Do not consume any food that has been exposed to heat or smoke.

Call JAE Before Your Insurer

Time is critical after a fire as fire damage can also include water damage. Calling JAE first means our 24/7 emergency teams can begin protecting your home and belongings straight away. Once you’ve arranged this, notify your insurance provider and provide them with the details to lodge your claim.

• Document the damage: Take photos or videos of affected areas before cleaning or moving items.‍
• Keep records: Note the date, time, and details of the fire. Save all receipts for temporary accommodation and essential purchases.
• Do not dispose of any items: This requires an Inventory and Photographs.

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Why Fire and Smoke Restoration Requires Specialists

Fire and smoke restoration is not a simple cleaning job; every fire is different, and in many cases, it includes water damage which JAE are also specialists in.

• Different types of smoke: Smoke and soot residues vary depending on what materials were burned (plastics, wood, textiles, etc.), each requiring a tailored cleaning method. Learn more here.
• Surface sensitivity: What works on hard surfaces like walls may permanently damage delicate items like upholstery, carpets, or electronics.
• Health and safety: Soot can contain toxic particles that should only be handled with specialist equipment and training.

This is why professional restoration is essential, JAE’s team are experienced, qualified fire technicians who maintain certification to international standards. Attempting DIY cleaning may cause more damage or lock in smoke odours permanently.

JAE’s Fire and Smoke Restoration Services

JAE’s expert teams provide:

• Soot and smoke odour treatment
• Cleaning and restoration of floor coverings, walls, ceilings, upholstery, soft furnishings, mattresses and drapery.
• Specialised equipment to restore household contents
• 24/7 emergency response across New Zealand
  

JAE’s Fire Restoration Process

At JAE, we understand the stress a fire can cause. Our fire restoration process is designed to restore your home or business as efficiently and effectively as possible:

1. Assessment: Our trained technicians assess all affected areas and create a tailored recovery plan including liaising with your Insurance provider.
2. Item Prioritisation: We outline which items can and cannot be restored and prioritise cleaning and restoration for those most important to you.
3. Smoke and Soot Removal: Using state-of-the-art technology, we remove smoke and soot damage from surfaces and items. 
4. Air Purification and Deodorising: We treat your property with specialised air and deodorising equipment to restore air purity and help eliminate unwanted odours.

How does JAE clean contents? 

JAE uses ultrasonic cleaning, a method that employs sound waves to create microscopic bubbles. These bubbles gently lift soot, smoke residue, and contaminants from surfaces - even in hard-to-reach areas - allowing delicate or detailed items to be safely restored.

Watch how ultrasonic cleaning works here:

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How to Ensure Fire Restoration Runs Smoothly

Working closely with your restoration team helps the process run smoothly. Be clear about which items matter most so they can be prioritised, and ask questions about cleaning methods, timelines, and safety precautions. If you can’t stay in your home, contact your insurer about temporary accommodation and avoid areas with lingering smoke or unstable structures. Lean on family, friends, and support networks, and professional counselling can be useful after a traumatic event.  Restoration is a process, but each step moves you closer to normality.

Acting quick is key, so if you’ve had a house fire, give JAE a call and their emergency smoke and fire restoration team will be able to take care of it for you.

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For more detailed information on the restoration process and the tools we use, we recommend reading our related blog post: Type of Equipment Used to Treat Smoke and Fire Damage, and don't forget to explore our other helpful guides.

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FAQs

Q: How soon should I start fire restoration after a fire?
A: As soon as possible. Smoke and soot can cause permanent damage within hours, especially to glass and metal items so it’s important to call JAE right away. Our teams provide 24/7 emergency support and can act quickly to reduce damage. Once JAE is on the way, you can then notify your insurance provider.

Q: Can smoke odour really be removed from a house?
A: With specialised cleaning techniques and equipment, experts like JAE can effectively treat odours on walls, ceilings, carpets, and furniture to restore a healthy living environment. Results may vary depending on the material, extent of the damage, and how quickly restoration begins.