A fire in your home can significantly impact you and your family. Often, the hardest part is knowing where to begin and who to contact. There are community resources that can work with you through the crisis. Start with the information on this page to work through the immediate tasks you may need to do.
For longer-term recovery support, visit our Recovery Portal. This tool provides a curated list of resources to assist you and members of your household during times of crisis–whether you are seeking information on shelter, safety, or community services.
Protect yourself from further losses
The first thing to do after a fire is to secure your home and protect yourself from further losses.
While the Fire Department is investigating the fire, you will not be able to remove any items from your home. Nobody, including the property owner, is permitted on the site without the approval of a fire investigator.
While the fire investigation is in process, a police officer or security guard will be posted on site and the property will be secured to ensure that no one enters until the investigation has concluded. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the fire scene will be turned over to you, your representative, and/or your insurance company. You may need engage a remediation company to remove water and debris and protect lightly damaged or undamaged property.
Renting or leasing?
If you are renting or leasing your property, you must contact the owner or landlord. The property owner’s insurance and/or your insurance company may be able to assist you in making immediate repairs or help to secure your home.
Salvage what you can
After the investigation has concluded and the site has been released and deemed safe to enter, ensure all doors and windows are secure. You may want to remove important and valuable items from your home, including:
- personal identification and financial items (e.g., ID, credit cards, keys)
- essential medical items and mobility aids (e.g., medications*, eyeglasses, hearing aids, walkers, canes)
- electronics and chargers (e.g., phone, computer)
- important documents (e.g., legal documents, insurance policies)
- jewelry, keepsakes, and other valuables
*Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication that was exposed to fire, heat, or smoke, as it may not be safe.
If you are insured
Contents and building insurance are not the same. If you live in a condo or rental, you must have separate contents insurance. Inform your insurance representative of the loss as soon as possible. Ask the representative about:
- covering doors, windows, and other exposed areas
- pumping out any remaining water
- whether you need to make an inventory of damaged personal property, with a description of each item and how much you paid for it
Starting the insurance claim process
- Call your insurance representative or company. Most insurers have a 24-hour claims service. Be as detailed as possible when providing information.
- List all damaged or destroyed items. If possible, assemble proofs of purchase, photos, receipts and warranties. Take photos of the damage and keep damaged items, unless they pose a health hazard.
- Keep all receipts related to clean up and living expenses if you’ve been displaced. Ask your insurance representative about what expenses you may be entitled to and for how long.
If you do not know the name of your insurer or your insurance representative, contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s Consumer Information Centre at 1 844 2ASK IBC (1 844 227 5422).
Questions for your insurance representative
- When will you be on site?
- Once on site, who will help me with repairs?
- When will the contractor be on site?
- What do I do with food in my refrigerator and freezer?
- How long will the repairs take?
If you’re displaced
- Do I pay and keep receipts or will the insurance company pay upfront?
- If I can’t access cash or credit cards, what should I do?
- Does my insurance cover the costs of keeping my pets in a kennel?
- Am I eligible for additional living expenses to cover an increased cost of living while not at home?
- When can I move back home?
If you are not insured
Emergency Support Services (ESS) supports British Columbians during and immediately after an emergency. ESS provides short-term assistance (typically up to 72 hours) to people affected by large-scale events and smaller incidents, such as house fires. Support may include help with accommodation, food, clothing, and other essential temporary needs to help you through the immediate aftermath of an emergency.
ESS is a provincial program administered on the North Shore by North Shore Emergency Management.
Reception centres
A reception centre, often located in a community centre, recreation centre, or church, is a safe place where people can go to receive:
- information about the emergency
- assistance meeting basic needs (e.g., Emergency Support Services)
- help with planning to recover from the disaster
- specialized services (e.g., emotional support, first aid, multicultural services, pet care, transportation)
Group lodging
Group lodging is a safe place where people can go to sleep, eat and receive other support services. Lodgings are often located in community centres, recreation centres or churches. Whether group lodging is open depends on many factors including the size of the emergency, the availability of commercial lodgings, and the number of responders.
Mental health and well-being
Fear and anxiety are natural reactions to stressful events and can stir up past traumas. To help yourself and those you care about:
- accept offers of help, and seek counselling or spiritual guidance
- focus on positive memories and the skills you’ve used to get through other difficult times
- be aware of how children and youth are reacting–reassure them and encourage them to express themselves and share how they are feeling
- give yourself and your loved ones time and permission to grieve
- practice cultural or spiritual customs that bring you comfort
Warning signs
With support, most people recover within a few weeks; however, some will need more time and help to heal. Watch for warning signs of extended anxiety and contact a medical professional or trusted community leader if symptoms such as these last more than two to four weeks:
- trouble with eating and sleeping
- feeling depressed or hopeless; showing low energy or crying often
- being anxious and fearful
- trouble focusing on daily activities
- recurring thoughts or nightmares
- avoiding activities or places that are reminders of the event
Seek help
Don’t be afraid to reach out for professional help:
- BC Mental Health Support Line is open 24 hours a day at 310 6789 (no area code)
- counselling is also available through the First Nations Health Authority. Visit www.fnha.ca or call the KUU-US Indigenous Crisis Line at 1 800 588 8717
First Nations Members: Contact your band office (see “Contact information” section at the end of this page). They will be able to tell you about your options and additional support services.
If you can’t stay in your home
Homeowners may temporarily be denied access to certain belongings, areas, or their entire home until the scene is studied and released by the fire investigation staff. This does not imply suspicion; it is policy to attempt to find the cause of all fires.
Check your residence for important legal documents and valuables that may be salvageable.
If your home is uninhabitable, it’s important to notify your municipality. A building inspector, if available, must also be called. After the building inspection is complete, a permit must be obtained prior to making repairs. Contact your local building department for information on applications and permits.
Changing your address
If you move and need to change your mailing address and phone number, notify:
- your municipality
- Canada Post
- newspaper delivery
- bank and credit card companies
- school district
- your employer
- family and friends
- Services Canada and Service BC
- ICBC
Who to notify after a fire
- if you are renting: the building manager, building owner, or landlord
- if you have school-age children: your child’s school, daycare or before and after school care provider, especially if your child will be absent due to stress, anxiety or trauma resulting from the incident
- If you have pets*: the veterinarian; if your pet has been lost during the incident, contact the SPCA, animal control, or Emergency Support Services for assistance
- if you are employed: your employer or employees who may be expecting you at work
*After a fire, don’t assume that your pet has not been affected just because it looks fine. Smoke can damage the lungs of a dog or cat in minutes, and sparks can cause painful burns that will stay hidden under the fur.
In addition, you may need to notify:
- restoration companies for cleaning or damage repair
- banks, credit unions, or mortgage brokers who hold your mortgage
- dry cleaners to remove smoke, odour, and stains from clothes, drapes and fabrics
- building inspector–if any structural damage has been caused, permits will probably be required to rebuild
Clean-up and salvage tips
Professional fire and water damage restoration businesses are the best source for cleaning and restoring belongings. Exposure to smoke, soot, and other chemicals may have long-term health effects. We strongly recommend using professional restorers. If you are insured, your insurance provider may cover this. If you wish to undertake some restoration yourself, consider the following:
Smoke odour and soot can sometimes be washed from clothing. The following formula will often work for clothing that can be bleached:
- 4 to 6 teaspoons tri-sodium phosphate (from a paint store)
- 1 cup Lysol or any household chlorine bleach
- 4.5 litres of warm water
- mix well, add clothes, rinse with clean water, and dry well
OR
- 1/2 cup ammonia to 9 litres of water (use rubber gloves)
- rinse in vinegar
- defrost/wash all surfaces with water and dish-washing detergent
- rinse with 2 tablespoons baking soda per litre of water, and re-rinse with clear water
OR
- wash with solution of 1 cup vinegar to 4.5 litres of water
If your home freezer has stopped running, you can save the frozen food by placing dry ice inside and keeping the freezer door closed.
- do not use any canned foods if the can has bulged, is badly dented, or rusted
- discard any food products exposed to heat or smoke as they are likely contaminated
IF IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT!
- wash pots, pans, and flatware with soapy water, rinse and then polish with a finely powdered cleaner
- polish copper and brass with polish, salt sprinkled on a piece of lemon, or salt sprinkled on a cloth saturated with vinegar
- wash and rinse dishes in hot, soapy water or use a dishwasher
- if your electricity or natural gas supply has been disconnected, contact a licensed contractor for assistance
- do not use appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes, or fuse-breaker panels until they have been checked by a qualified electrician
- have your central heating system checked by a licensed contractor before use; replace any parts that have been damaged or affected by smoke
- replace filters and insulation inside furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, refrigerators, and freezers if they have been damaged–you may need to consider replacing the whole appliance, depending on the severity of the damage; consult with a professional electrician or the manufacturer
- wipe leather goods with a damp cloth, then a dry cloth
- stuff purses and shoes with newspaper to retain shape
- leave suitcases open
- dry leather goods away from sun and heat; once leather is dry, clean with saddle soap
- treat wet books as soon as possible; the best method is to freeze them in a vacuum freezer to remove moisture (a normal freezer can also be used)
- use rubber gloves and goggles
- mix together 4-6 tablespoons tri-sodium phosphate and 4.5 litres of water
- wash a small area at a time working from the floor up; do ceilings last; rinse thoroughly
- repaint when completely dry; use a smoke sealer (purchase from a paint store) before painting
- heat and ventilate the room for several days to dry the plaster and paper
- if mildewed paper is washable, wipe it with a cloth wrung out of thick soapsuds; rinse clean with clear water
- re-paste edges or loosened sections
- when washing wallpaper, work quickly so paper does not become soaked
- work from the bottom to the top to prevent streaking floors
- use flax soap on wood and linoleum floors; it will require 4 or 5 applications
- strip and re-wax if necessary
- a wet/dry vacuum or water extractor carpet cleaning machine can be rented at many supermarkets and drugstores
- let rugs and carpets dry out thoroughly by laying them flat and exposing them to warm, dry air
- clean by sweeping or vacuuming, shampoo with a commercial rug shampoo
- to remove mildew, wash with soap and water; rinse well and allow to dry
- if stain remains, use lemon juice and salt, or a solution of a tablespoon of perborate bleach to a pint of lukewarm water, or dilute with a solution of household chlorine bleach; test coloured garments before using any treatment
- exercise caution in cleaning and disinfecting mould because it releases spores when disturbed
- never mix bleach with ammonia as fumes from the combination are toxic
- if you suspect any mould on any furniture that has been wet, contact a professional for advice
- take locks apart (especially iron locks), wipe with kerosene and oil
- squirt machine oil through the bolt opening or keyhole and work the knob to distribute the oil if locks cannot be removed
- thoroughly clean and oil hinges
- keep an up-to-date list of medications you and your family take; make sure you record medication strength, the amount, and time the medication is to be taken
- do NOT take any medication that was not completely sealed in a container
- check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication that was in the fire; it may not be safe if it was exposed to heat
- discard any medication that has been contaminated by heat or smoke from a fire; most pharmacies offer a medication disposal service
IF IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT!
Contact Information
- Emergency Support Services/North Shore Emergency Management. Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (closed on public and statutory holidays). Phone: 778 338 6300. For after-hours emergency, call: 778 338 6302.
- Squamish Nation Band Office. Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (closed on public and statutory holidays). Phone: 604 980 4553.
- Tsleil-Waututh Nation Administration Office. Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (closed on public and statutory holidays). Phone: 604 929 3454.
Source: The information on this page is adapted from What to do after a fire, produced by the Office of the Fire Commissioner. Download the What to do after a fire booklet (PDF).