Clearing up after a fire

There is support available to help you and your family after a fire - including temporary accommodation. You should also make sure that you protect your property from any further damage.

Making sure your home is structurally safe

After the fire is put out, fire officers will examine the building and tell you of any structural or other defects. If the emergency services think the building is unsafe:

they will tell the local building control officer
public access may be fenced off and the building repairs left to you
they may shore up or demolish the property to avoid danger to the public

Support for you

Red Cross - Fire and Emergency Support Service

The fire and emergency support service (FESS) is provided by Red Cross volunteers using a specially adapted vehicle. They will arrive at the scene of any incident within 90 minutes of being called out and provide practical help and emotional support to those affected by fire. FESS support includes:

immediate temporary shelter in the FESS vehicle
help in finding temporary accommodation
first aid and emotional support
advice on the help available from other organisations
support with the care of children and pets
use of shower and toilet facilities
clothing, toiletries and light refreshments
the use of a telephone and camera to assist with insurance claims
advice on any medication damaged and get replacement medication for occupiers if required
a check list for any documents lost or damaged and who to contact for replacement items
male and female hygiene packs
access to baby hygiene items, feeding bottles, nappies and toys
a vehicle that can transport you to alternative accommodation as required
a local contacts folder, produced by volunteers, for signposting to other organisations/agencies
a vehicle which carries Language Identification Card to assist multi nationalities, also use of an Interpretation Service
(in Northern Ireland only) hot micowave meals
advice on Crisis Loans available through Social Services

The fire officer in charge of the fire-ground can ask for the vehicle and will include how many people need help and what sort of help is needed.

Find out more from the Red Cross

What you need to do

After the fire has been extinguished, the fire officers will thoroughly examine the building, and will advise you of any apparent structural or other defects. If the building is considered unsafe by the emergency services:

they will inform the local building control officer
public access may be fenced off and the building repairs left to you
they may shore up or demolish the property to avoid danger to the public

If you can't live in your home after a fire, you could:

try to arrange temporary accommodation with relatives or friends
contact local property letting agents or the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) - if it is out-of-hours, you may ask the fire and rescue service or police to do this for you
contact your local Social Security Office for short-term financial assistance

When the emergency services leave, you are responsible for the security of your property. Your insurers will expect you to make sure your home is secure. Remove all valuables from the property if it is safe to do so, and close all doors and windows. If windows and doors need boarding up and you are a NIHE tenant, then contact the Executive. Or, if out-of-hours, the fire and rescue service or police may contact them for you.

Owners or private tenants should contact a 24-hour glazier - details can be found in the Yellow Pages under ‘glaziers’. Inform the police if you leave the property before it is secure, explaining any arrangements you have made with contractors. You will probably be charged for most of the above services, but you may be able to claim some costs back through your home insurance.

What to do next

Following a fire, it is advisable to:

contact your insurance company as soon as possible
contact gas, electricity and water suppliers
don't be tempted to switch on any gas, electricity or water supply if they have been turned off
get utility supplies and installations checked and repaired by qualified people
throw away any cans that have bulged or are dented or rusted
never re-freeze food that has thawed or partially thawed

Contacts for gas, water and electricity supplies and installations can be found in the Yellow Pages.

If you live on a low income and have no home insurance

People on a low income may not have adequate insurance. Many households also let their policy lapse if they are facing financial problems. If you need financial support to cover expenses like insurance, you may be able to qualify for a Community Grant.

A Community Grant helps people to live independently in the community and helps to ease exceptional family pressures. If you have children or other vulnerable people in your family, you can get help from social services.

There are services available to you if you are made homeless by fire. Follow the link below to find more information: