A house fire is one of the most disorienting things a Yuma family can go through, and once the fire is out, it’s hard to know what to do next. The truth is that the first 48 hours largely decide what can be saved and what is lost for good. Here’s exactly what to do, and what to avoid.
If you’ve had a fire in Yuma County, call Aquasafe Restoration at (928) 750-1670. We respond 24/7 and start protecting your property right away.
Step 1: Stay Out Until It’s Cleared
Do not re-enter until the fire department says it’s safe. A structure weakened by fire can have compromised floors, ceilings, and wiring, and the air inside can still be toxic from smoke and soot. Your safety comes before any belonging.
Step 2: Call Your Insurance and a Restoration Company
Open a claim with your insurer, then call a fire damage restoration company. The two work together: the faster a crew secures the property and begins cleanup, the less the damage spreads, which keeps your claim and your losses down. Aquasafe Restoration documents the damage and bills your carrier directly.
Step 3: Understand Why the Clock Is Ticking
Fire damage doesn’t stop when the flames do. Soot and smoke residue are acidic and keep working on your home for days:
- Metal fixtures and appliances begin to corrode and rust
- Countertops, grout, and fiberglass yellow and stain permanently
- Walls and ceilings absorb smoke odor deeper by the hour
- Firefighting water soaks into materials and, in Yuma’s heat, can start mold growth within 24 to 48 hours
That last point catches people off guard: most fires leave a serious water damage problem behind, too.
Step 4: What Not to Do
Well-meaning cleanup often causes the damage that can’t be undone:
- Don’t wipe soot off walls with a cloth or household cleaner, it smears and sets the stain.
- Don’t turn on appliances or electronics that were exposed to heat, smoke, or water.
- Don’t use upholstered furniture or fabrics until they’ve been professionally cleaned, soot grinds in further.
- Don’t run your HVAC system, it will circulate soot and odor through the whole house.
How Aquasafe Restoration Handles Fire Damage
Our crews secure and board up the property, remove soot and smoke residue with the right products for each surface, extract any firefighting water damage and dry the structure, deodorize to remove smoke odor at the source, and rebuild what was lost. We’ve served Yuma County for more than 20 years and work directly with your insurance.
Call Aquasafe Restoration 24/7 at (928) 750-1670 for emergency fire and smoke damage restoration anywhere in Yuma, San Luis, Somerton, and Fortuna Foothills.
