After a Commercial Fire: What Now?

1/23/2022 (Permalink)

Fire in a warehouse in Two Lick, PA.

Prepare for a Commercial Fire

As a business owner in Two Lick, PA, you need to be prepared for the consequences of a commercial fire. You should be ready to deal with possible expenses due to the cost of fire restoration and time lost while your business is closed. Luckily, you can greatly minimize the loss of time and money by taking the following steps.

1. Talk to Your Insurance Company

Contact your fire insurance company right away to let them know what's happened. The sooner you can file a claim and get an adjuster out to look at the damage, the sooner they can release the funds you need to get your building repaired and restored.

2. Call a Professional Fire Mitigation Company

Next, you should seek out the services of a fire restoration company. These professionals can come out immediately to do any needed emergency repairs and make a thorough inspection. They will then begin the process of removing any excess water left behind by fire hoses, smoke cleaning, and repair and restoration of the building.

3. Assessing Damage and Removing Property

When you can enter the building again, take care to wear a breathing mask to protect yourself from lingering smoke. Make an inventory of equipment that's been damaged, such as computers, phones, important documents and any other items. The insurance company will need this information for any possible reimbursement. Try to salvage as much equipment as possible. Much of it may be usable after a careful professional cleaning.

5. Bring in an Arson Investigation Team

It's a good idea to hire a forensics team to determine if there was any foul play. If there was arson involved, your insurer needs this information. If a guilty party is found, they may want to file charges and recover their costs.

Hopefully, you won't ever have to deal with fire restoration in your place of business. But if so, you'll be ready to take quick action by using the information outlined above.