What to Do After a House Fire in Houston: Step-by-Step

The Short Answer

Tonight: find the Red Cross at redcross.org/get-help or dial 2-1-1.
Within 72 hours: call your insurer, board up, photograph everything.
Within 30 days: fire report, inventory, documents, housing.

The First 24 Hours

Count heads. Every family member. All pets.
Get checked for smoke. Even if you feel fine. Smoke hurts kids and older adults fastest.
Find a bed for tonight. Go to redcross.org/get-help or dial 2-1-1.
Stay out until the fire department says the house is safe.
Call your insurer within 24 hours. Write down the claim number. You'll use it a hundred times. Note the date and time of the fire too.
Ask your pharmacist about emergency refills for any medicine you lost.

Local disaster relief services can cover the basics tonight. The Red Cross and the Salvation Army both help with shelter, food and clothing.

Contact the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region to confirm what emergency help is available tonight.

The First 72 Hours: Securing The Property (Board-Up)

An empty, burned house gets broken into. Rain gets in too. Most policies expect you to stop more damage, and most pay for the board-up.

Fire damage isn't only what burned. Soot, smoke odor and firefighting water all count. Wet walls and carpet can grow mold within days.

If you go in once it's cleared, wear protective gear: gloves, sturdy shoes and a mask. Look for structural damage, like a sagging ceiling. If something looks off, get out.

Board up broken windows and doors. Tarp the roof if it's open.
Take photos and video of every room before anything moves.
Keep every receipt. Even the $12 ones.

Contacting Your Insurance Company

Ask these on the first call, and write down the answers:

Who's my adjuster, and how do I reach them?
Does my policy pay for a hotel or rental while I'm out? What's the limit?
Will you pay for board-up and emergency cleanup?
Do you need my fire report, or will you get it?

Read your policy too. It says what's covered and what isn't. For a big or messy claim, a public adjuster can help. Then read the Houston claim guide.

Utilities: Power, Gas And Water

Power and gas: CenterPoint Energy runs the lines in most of Houston. Don't switch anything back on yourself. It may need an inspection first.
Your electricity provider: CenterPoint Energy handles outages. The company on your bill handles your plan and billing, so call them to pause service.
Water: City of Houston water customers can contact Houston Public Works (or call 3-1-1) to pause service.

Call CenterPoint Energy at the number on your bill to confirm what's needed to restore service safely.

Getting Your Fire Report

Your insurer will likely ask for the fire department report from the Houston Fire Department. It's free to request. Here's how to find your house fire records.

Temporary Housing Options In Houston

Insured? Your policy may pay for a hotel or short-term rental. Ask about the limit before you book.
Renting? Read your rights as a Houston renter. You may be able to end your lease.
No insurance? Start with the Red Cross and 2-1-1, then see help without insurance.
Part of a bigger disaster? If your fire was in a federally declared disaster, check FEMA help at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Documents To Replace

Replace your ID first. Almost every other office will ask for it.

Driver's license or ID: Texas Department of Public Safety
Birth certificates: Texas DSHS Vital Statistics (online, by mail or at a local office), or the Houston Health Department's Bureau of Vital Statistics for Houston births. It takes walk-ins.
Social Security card: Social Security Administration, 1-800-772-1213
Deed and property records: Harris County Clerk's Office
Passports: U.S. Department of State
Bank cards and insurance papers: call each company

Contact each office to confirm current replacement steps and fees.

What To Salvage And What To Throw Away

Throw out food, drinks and medicine that touched heat, smoke or water. Sealed cans too. Toss anything burned.

Often worth saving: solid wood furniture, metal, glass and many clothes after a professional cleaning.

Before you toss anything, take a photo. Your adjuster may want proof it existed.

Cleanup And Hiring Contractors

Don't haul out burned debris or hazardous materials yourself. Have a fire restoration professional look at the house first. Then hire licensed pros for the smoke and fire damage.

Check their license and credentials
Ask for proof of insurance
Read online reviews
Get multiple estimates, in writing
Never pay the full amount before the work is done
Agree on a clear payment schedule

Those estimates help your insurance claim too.

Repair Or Sell: Take A Breath First

Restoring a burned home can take several months. Sometimes restoration costs exceed the home's market value. Selling can bring money faster, and that matters when savings are thin.

It's also your home. Letting go is hard, and that's normal. Give yourself and your family time to recover emotionally before you decide. Compare repair, rebuild or sell when you're ready.

Your 30-Day Recovery Checklist

Claim number, adjuster name and hotel limit written down
House secured and photographed
Fire report requested
A place to stay for the next month
Room-by-room inventory started
ID and key documents replaced
Mail forwarded with USPS
Repair, rebuild or sell options compared

Not sure what comes next?

Answer a few quick questions and we'll show you every option for your situation.

Common Questions

Can I go back into my house after a fire?

Only after the fire department says it's safe. Structural damage, smoke and wiring problems can be dangerous even if the house looks okay.

Who pays for a hotel after a house fire?

If you're insured, additional living expenses (ALE) coverage often does. Ask your insurer before booking. If not, call the Red Cross or 2-1-1.