Fire Damage Restoration Guide Part 1

Part 1: What Homeowners Should Do Immediately After a Fire (First 48 Hours Guide — Pennsylvania Edition)

In Pennsylvania, the first 48 hours after a fire are critical for preventing secondary damage and protecting your insurance claim. Whether the fire occurred in Allentown rowhomes, Bucks county brick structures, or rural PA properties in Chester or Lancaster county, smoke and soot behave differently depending on construction type — making fast action essential.

Stay Safe and Wait for Clearance 

PA fire departments — volunteer fire departments from Montgomeryville, Ambler, Lansdale Fire to local volunteer companies — require homeowners to wait for official clearance before re‑entering the property. Older PA homes often contain aging electrical systems, plaster walls, and hidden voids where smoke lingers. These are often ruined during a fire and will be required to be brought up to current code during the reconstruction process.

Document Everything for Insurance

When you hire an IICRC Certified Firm for fire damage such as AfterCare Restoration we will ensure that the following documentation is completed for your insurance claim.  Here Lehigh Valley, Lancaster to West Chester to Montgomery & Bucks Counties we work with small regional insurance comapnies to large national carries.  Some of the many insurance companies we have worked with here in Pennsylvania are: (State Farm, Erie, Allstate, Nationwide, Travelers, Farmers & Liberty Mutual) which all rely heavily on documentation.

• Photograph every room
• Capture smoke staining common in PA plaster and brick homes
• Document water damage from firefighting (especially common in multi‑unit rowhomes)

Contact Your Insurance Carrier Immediately

Most PA carriers offer 24/7 claim reporting. Provide:

• Policy number
• Fire department incident number
• Photos and videos
• Temporary housing needs (ALE)

Secure the Property with a Fire Damage Restoration Company

Board‑ups are essential in Pennsylvania cities where vacant or damaged homes attract trespassing. Additionally, you will want your home properly tarped to prevent weather intrusion.

Call an IICRC Certified Pennsylvania Restoration Company

Locally owned companies such as AfterCare Restoration understand PA building materials, insurance carriers, and how each local townships handles the fire reconstruction process.

 

 

 

 

Call 24/7 AfterCare Restoration 215.515.1000