Two adults hugging in front of a burned down home.

A fire will change your life in many ways. Knowing where to begin and who can help is an important part of the recovery process. The San José Fire Department has put together the following information to help you recover from a fire:

What to do right After a Fire

  1. Ensure everyone's safety first.
    • Make sure everyone is safe and accounted for, including pets.
    • Seek medical attention for any injuries or smoke inhalation.
    • Let friends and family know you’re safe.
  2. Do not enter your property unless given permission.
    • Local authorities (e.g., SJFD) will let you know if and when it is safe to enter your fire-damaged property, or they may let you know what areas are restricted.
    • Use extreme caution when entering your home or handling fire-damaged items. Soot and contaminated water left behind may contain hazardous materials that can make you sick.
  3. Contact your insurance company right away.
    • Call your homeowners or renters insurance provider, or use your insurance provider's mobile app, to start your claim right away. It's best to start a claim the same day as the fire.
    • If you're a tenant, contact the building manager or owner.
    • Keep records of all communications and claim numbers. 
  4. Contact American Red Cross or Salvation Army for immediate assistance.
    • If you need emergency assistance with food, clothing, or housing, contact either the American Red Cross (408-577-1000) or Salvation Army (408-282-1165).
    • You may also be able to secure temporary housing through your insurance’s "loss of use" coverage.
    • Keep all receipts, such as those for hotels, food, and clothing, as these may be reimbursable.
  5. Secure the property.
    • Protect your property from further damage or theft by arranging to have it boarded up.
    • Contact your insurance company to discuss urgent needs, such as securing the building.
    • SJFD can assist by connecting you with a fire recovery contractor who will work directly with your insurance provider. These contractors can also help coordinate smoke and water removal services.

Utilities Shut Off

During a fire, the San José Fire Department or PG&E may shut off utility services as a safety precaution in order to prevent further damage to the structure. The utility companies cannot restore utilities until any necessary repairs have been conducted, approved, and clearance has been issued by the City's Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department. Contact your utility provider to begin the process of restoring service

Notice to Food Establishments: If the damaged property is a food service establishment, you will have to contact the Santa Clara County Public Health Department (408-792-5040) to get inspection and clearance before reopening.

Understanding Firefighting Procedures

To fight a fire effectively, firefighters may need to break windows or cut holes in the roof. These actions help slow the fire’s spread, release dangerous smoke and heat, and create safer conditions for firefighters to enter and extinguish the fire. Firefighters may also cut into walls to ensure the fire is fully extinguished and not hidden within structural spaces. While this damage can look severe, these techniques are essential for thorough fire suppression. Typically, insurance policies cover damage caused by firefighting efforts, provided the fire itself is a covered loss.

Arson Investigation

If a structure fire involves a fatality, suspected arson, or if no clear cause can be determined, the incident and surrounding area may be treated as a crime scene. Access may be restricted until the investigation is complete. To assist investigators, gather and preserve any home security footage that may be helpful for the arson investigation.