What to do after a fire

During the fire

Waterloo Fire Rescue will:

• work to extinguish the flames
• use ventilation tactics such as breaking windows or cutting holes in the walls or roof to limit the spread of fire or find hotspots
• contact Red Cross to offer practical and emotional support

After the fire

When the fire is out, Waterloo Fire Rescue will:

• check that utilities are safe to use or disconnected before leaving the scene
• tell you when it’s safe to move your car
• tell you when it is safe to enter after a fire
• help retrieve important valuables if possible, or accompany you when you enter the site

Depending on the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage, fire prevention personnel may conduct an investigation.

You can expect:

• investigators from Fire Prevention Division, Office of the Fire Marshal, Waterloo Regional Police Service, City of Waterloo Building, Property Standards or Bylaw departments, Technical Standards and Safety Authority, utility companies, or the Electrical Safety Authority may attend
• the property will be in the possession of the investigators during this time, not the homeowner
• Waterloo Fire Rescue will return possession of the building to the owner once the fire is out and the investigation is complete

To request a copy of the Standard Incident Report, email fire@waterloo.ca with proof of home ownership.

Certain buildings must have a designated contact person who can arrive at the scene within 45 minutes when Waterloo Fire Rescue responds to a fire.

Having someone on site helps our firefighters finish their work faster and respond to other emergencies.

Learn more about these requirements on our Fire Safety Box page.

This requirement comes from Section 2.8 of the Ontario Fire Code and the Fire Safety Box Bylaw.

You may need help with:

• temporary housing
• food and water
• medication
• eyeglasses or medical aids
• weather-appropriate clothing
• pet care

Do:

• have all injuries, even minor ones, checked by medical professionals
• watch for ongoing symptoms of smoke inhalation such as coughing, wheezing or fever
• contact your insurance company or agent as soon as possible
• tell your mortgage company or landlord that a fire occurred
• record all expenses and keep all receipts

Do not:

• enter your property until Waterloo Fire Rescue says it’s safe
• move or take items if an investigation is underway
• turn on utilities yourself — contact the utility companies instead
• eat food or use medicine left in the property
• start or move a fire-damaged vehicle

Once you have possession of the property, contact your insurance company about hiring a restoration company to secure the building – boarding windows and locking doors.

If you must leave your home, notify:

• friends and family
• your employer
• your children’s school
• at least one neighbour

Also contact:

• Canada Post (hold or reroute mail)
• utility companies
• your bank and credit card companies
• your insurance company
• Waterloo Regional Police Service
• Waterloo Fire Rescue

Contact your insurer right away

Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurer. The insurer agrees to provide coverage, and you agree to follow certain obligations.

If you don’t have a copy of your policy, ask for one. Make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered.

After a fire loss, your responsibilities usually include:

• giving immediate notice of the loss to your insurance company or agent
• hiring a restoration company to prevent further damage to the property
  • creating an inventory of damaged personal property, including:
  • item descriptions and quantities
  • what you paid and when you bought each item
  • the damage each item sustained
  • the estimated cost to replace each item
• attaching bills or other documents that help establish the value of your belongings
• scheduling a walkthrough of the site with your insurance representative once Waterloo Fire Rescue says it’s safe to enter

Submit your statement of loss

Most insurance companies require a formal statement of loss within 30 to 60 days.

This statement usually includes:

• the time and cause of the fire
• names and addresses of people with a financial interest in the property (for example, a mortgage holder or spouse)
• building plans or repair estimates
• a detailed inventory of damaged property
• receipts for additional living expenses and loss-of-use items

Keeping good records will help your claim go more smoothly:

• use one notebook to record phone calls, notes, and claim details
  Include names, dates, times, and next steps
• use a second notebook to track expenses
• keep copies of all invoices and original receipts

If your insurance company offers a payment, ask if it’s partial or final. A final payment means no additional funds will be issued.

Only go inside when Waterloo Fire Rescue or your insurance representative says it’s safe.

Try to visit during daylight hours, since electricity may not be restored. Bring a flashlight, even during the day.

Ask the fire official or insurance agent what personal protective equipment you need, such as:

• safety boots
• hard hat
• gloves
• eye or respiratory protection

Be careful walking around your property. After a fire, steps and floors may be covered with debris such as nails and broken glass. Walls, roofs and nearby trees may be unstable.

Call 911 if you notice:

1. downed or sparking power lines
2. the smell of burning with no visible fire
3. a “rotten eggs” odour (possible gas leak)

Bring these items to help you inspect and document safely:

• camera or phone for photos
• notebook or phone for notes
• backpack or bag that leaves your hands free
• garbage bags for small salvaged items
• tarp(s) to cover large items you can preserve

When you find personal items:

• take a photo before touching or moving each one
• record serial numbers and condition for your insurance claim
• place small items in plastic bags
• cover large salvageable items, like furniture, with a tarp
• don’t discard damaged goods until your inventory is complete
• decide what you can clean yourself and what needs professional help

Experiencing a fire can be traumatic and may involve the loss of property or loved ones. It’s normal to feel stress, grief and anxiety.

Talk to someone you trust or seek counselling for you and your family. The Region of Waterloo lists advice and resources to support your mental health.

Contact your veterinarian for a health check and resources for supporting pets.

You can also visit the Canadian Red Cross website for information on coping after a fire, cleaning up safely and returning home.

Fire can cause two types of smoke damage — visible soot and invisible odour. Because every fire is different, it’s difficult to remove these safely without professional help.

Hire a restoration specialist to clean and recover items such as clothing, furniture and interior surfaces.

Be cautious when handling appliances and food:

• don’t use appliances exposed to water or steam until they’ve been inspected by a service representative
• steam can remove lubricant from moving parts and create new hazards
• contact your electric or gas company to restore service — don’t try to do it yourself
• discard canned goods that are bulged, dented or rusted
• don’t consume perishable food that was exposed to fire
• don’t re-freeze food that has thawed