WHAT TO DO AFTER A FIRE?
Immediately after a fire: DAY 0
Property Owners
- Call your insurer.
- Find a safe place to stay.
- Contact friends and loved ones.
- Leave your name and temporary address with a representative of the Red Cross.
Tenants
- Call your insurer.
- Put all your goods into storage.
- Find a safe place to stay. The Red Cross is a resource for finding temporary housing. Call 502-589-4450 or visit their website at redcross.org/local/kentucky/about-us/locations/louisville-area-chapter
- Contact friends and loved ones.
- Inform the owner or owner's representative of the fire and provide them with your temporary address.
IMPORTANT NOTE
- Your insurance company must be notified of the fire as soon as possible. They will send someone on site to inspect damages, initiate procedures and provide all possible assistance. Remember, many insurance companies have 24-hour emergency phone numbers.
- Various cleaning and renovation companies may contact you to offer their services. Do not start any work on your home before having talked to your insurance agent or adjuster.
Immediately after a fire: Day 1
Property Owners
- Secure your building. Once the fire department leaves, you are responsible for ensuring its safety and security.
- Notify your employer of the fire.
- Notify your children’s schools or daycare centers of the fire.
- Notify your mortgage lender.
- Ask for a copy of the fire report.
- Notify public utilities (LG&E and the Louisville Water Company).
- Ask USPS to hold your mail.
- If you have been authorized to return to your home, take photos of the property and your belongings for your insurance claim.
Tenants
- Notify your employer of the fire.
- Notify your children’s schools or daycare centers of the fire.
- Notify your financial institution.
- Notify public utilities (LG&E and the Louisville Water Company).
- Ask the USPS to hold your mail.
- If you have been authorized to return to your home, take photos of the property and your belongings for your insurance claim.
IMPORTANT NOTE
- Access to your building may be prohibited by firefighters until the investigation of the cause and circumstances of the fire is completed.
- Metro Call 311 is a resource for connecting you to government services or other providers that may be available to assist after a fire. Dial 311 from your phone or visit their website at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro311
- Several insurance policies cover food and lodging expenses and can even offer cash advances. Check with your insurer.
The following days
Property Owners
- Make a list of destroyed assets and documents.
- Contact support organizations.
- When possible, have certain services restored and systems/appliances turned on.
- Contact your insurance adjuster to start renovation or construction work.
- Gather all your receipts in an appropriate place.
- Cancel or change your pending appointments.
Tenants
- Make a list of destroyed assets and documents.
- Contact support organizations.
- When possible, have certain services restored and systems/appliances turned on.
- Gather all your receipts in an appropriate place.
- Cancel or change your pending appointments.
IMPORTANT NOTE
- You will have many things to do in the next few days. Ask for help if you feel overwhelmed.
- Provide a temporary telephone number and address where you can easily be reached. Give this information to all interested parties.