When a catastrophe falls on your property in Pittsburgh, knowing exactly what to do makes all the difference between restoration and devastating loss. Given Pittsburgh’s recent flash flood risks as of July 2025, having reliable water disaster cleanup services on standby is crucial.
Additionally, according to USFA data, 11.8% of all emergency calls made in Pennsylvania are fire-related compared to the national average of 3.9%. This means that Pennsylvania fire departments respond to fires nearly three times the national rate.
And once the firefighters finish their work, a bigger task of removing the water that’s left from extinguishing the fire, and restoring your property needs your immediate attention. That’s where local Pittsburgh experts like Americon Restoration help. Here’s how to deal with the fire or flood situation on your property:
What Steps to Take During Fire Cleanup and When to Call Professionals
House fires are time-sensitive emergencies. According to USFA data, residential fires in Pennsylvania caused six deaths and 16.6 injuries per 1000 fires in 2023. These are grave numbers and not knowing what your next steps should be in case of a fire is a mistake you simply can’t afford.
While companies such as CleanUp Fire and Water offer disaster cleanup services in Pittsburgh, it’s just as important to have a clear action plan. This allows you to make all the right decisions during emergencies.
What to Do Immediately After a Fire Emergency?
There are some key things that can literally make a life or death difference if you remember and follow them. Here’s what to do in case of a fire emergency:
Step 1: Make Sure of Your Safety
When your property’s been damaged by fire make sure you don’t enter the structure before a fire code official or fire department official has authorized you to. This is because the structure may be weakened and may collapse even after the flame is extinguished.
Step 2: Secure all Utilities
Make sure to contact utility companies to disconnect gas, electricity and water services immediately. Make sure you don’t attempt to do this on your own. Exposed and damaged electrical systems put you at risk of electrocution and increase the possibility of secondary fire. This is because a primary fire can damage gas lines or appliances, causing a persistent leak that allows gas to accumulate within an enclosed space.
Once this gas-to-air mixture reaches a critical concentration between 5% (lowest explosive limit) and 15%, it becomes a severe hazard. The introduction of any subsequent ignition source, such as an electrical spark or smoldering ember, can then trigger a destructive secondary explosion and fire.
Step 3: Documentation
Once you’ve been cleared to go inside safely, make sure to document everything. This includes photographing visible damage from multiple angles before any changes are made.
You can document smoke damage, water damage and other destroyed contents in the property. This documentation is important since insurance companies typically request proof of loss.
Step 4: Protection from Further Damage
As per the U.S. Fire Administration guidelines all broken windows, doors and possible basement openings must be barricaded. This helps prevent further damage from harsh weather conditions, vandalism, theft and wildlife intrusion.
The property must also be posted with a ‘No Trespassing’ sign. Most disaster cleanup services in Pittsburgh, such as Americon Restoration usually handle this for you.
Step 5: Contact Insurance and Get Professional Help
This is the point when you notify your insurance company of the incident. According to the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, make sure to file your claim as soon as possible. Moreover, contact emergency fire cleanup in Pittsburgh immediately.
At Americon Restoration we help you with insurance claims and insurer negotiations as well for your peace of mind.
When Does Fire Cleanup Require Professional Intervention?
Professional assessment is required when the fire damage involves structural elements, electrical systems and synthetic materials such as plastics and polyester. These factors aggravate the extent of the damage making it necessary for professional involvement.
Americon Restoration’s emergency fire cleanup in Pittsburgh follows specialized protocols. Trained professionals are capable of handling all sorts of fire damage, which is typically categorized into 6 groups:
- Class A fires: involve organic solids such as paper and wood
- Class B fires: involve flammable liquids
- Class C fires: involve flammable gases
- Class D fires: involve burning metals
- Class F fires: involve fats
- Electrical fires: involve electrical equipment
Being one of the leading Pittsburg restoration companies, Americon can restore damages caused by all classes of fires.
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