How to Handle Fire Damage in a Commercial Property

A fire can strike your business unexpectedly and cause major damage to your commercial property. From smoke damage to water damage caused by firefighters or a fire sprinkler system, the recovery process can be overwhelming. Understanding how to handle fire damage the right way can help you protect your property, reduce losses, and speed up your business recovery.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through each step of what to do after a commercial fire — from emergency response to fire damage restoration, insurance claims, and smoke damage restoration. Reviewed by Preferred Restoration.

The First Step: Ensure Safety

How to Handle Fire Damage in a Commercial Property

Before you do anything else, make sure everyone is safe. Fires create multiple hazards, including weakened structures, electrical dangers, and lingering particulates that can harm your health.

What to Do First:

  • Wait for the fire department to declare the building safe.
  • Do not enter until you’re cleared to do so.
  • Keep all employees, tenants, and customers away.
  • Shut off utilities if instructed by authorities.

Your top priority is safety — not salvaging inventory or files right away. Fires often cause hidden damage to wiring, ceilings, and flooring.

Contact Your Insurance Company Immediately

Once it’s safe, contact your insurance company to start the insurance claim process. Acting quickly helps ensure your insurance policy covers the damage.

Key Steps for Insurance:

  • Notify your insurer about the fire.
  • Review your property insurance or business interruption insurance.
  • Document the damage with photos and video.
  • Keep receipts for all expenses related to cleanup and repairs.

It’s a good idea to work with a public adjuster or adjuster who can help you file your claim correctly. They can also communicate with your insurer and make sure your policy benefits are fully applied.

If you have Servicemaster or another restoration company in mind, ask your insurance company if they’re approved providers under your policy.

commercial building on fire

Call a Fire Damage Restoration Company

After a commercial fire, professional help is essential. Fire damage restoration specialists are trained to handle all types of commercial fire recovery, from cleanup to repair and odor removal.

A professional restoration company like Preferred Restoration or Servicemaster uses advanced equipment and techniques to restore your building quickly and safely.

What They Do:

  • Inspect the property for fire and smoke damage.
  • Remove debris and damaged materials.
  • Extract water left by fire sprinklers or firefighters.
  • Deodorize and purify the air to remove odors and particulates.
  • Dry out the building to prevent moisture-related water damage or mold.
  • Rebuild or repair damaged structures.

These services help minimize downtime and prevent secondary problems, like mold or flood damage from broken pipes.

Document Everything for Your Insurance Claim

Proper documentation is key to a smooth insurance claim. Commercial property owners should take detailed notes and photos of everything affected by the fire.

What to Document:

  • Inventory of damaged items
  • Structural damage to walls, ceilings, floors, and roofing
  • Smoke damage to furniture, electronics, and décor
  • Water damage from suppression systems
  • Cleanup costs and receipts

Keep a copy of all communication with your insurance company, public adjuster, and fire damage restoration company.

Having this documentation ready speeds up your claim and ensures fair compensation.

Handle Water Damage from Fire Suppression

Many don’t realize that after a fire, there’s often severe water damage too. When firefighters use hoses or the fire sprinkler system activates, it can flood parts of the property.

How to Handle It:

  • Hire a water damage restoration expert.
  • Use pumps, fans, and dehumidifiers to remove moisture.
  • Inspect for mold growth.
  • Replace damaged flooring, drywall, or insulation.

Professional water removal prevents further damage and ensures your building is safe for reopening.

Address Smoke Damage and Odor Removal

Even if the flames didn’t reach every room, smoke damage can affect your entire property. Smoke leaves behind toxic particulates, soot, and strong odors that can linger for weeks.

Smoke Damage Restoration Includes:

  • Cleaning and sanitizing surfaces.
  • Using HEPA filters to remove airborne pollutants.
  • Thermal fogging and ozone treatments to neutralize odors.
  • Cleaning HVAC systems to remove soot.

A smoke damage restoration company will know how to safely clean your commercial property without causing further harm to walls or furniture.

Protect Your Business Inventory

If you’re a business that sells goods or stores equipment, your inventory can take a big hit during a commercial fire.

Steps to Protect and Restore Inventory:

  • Separate salvageable items from destroyed ones.
  • Keep an updated inventory list for your insurance claim.
  • Store items in a clean, dry area during restoration.
  • Ask your insurance company if they cover inventory loss under your policy.

If necessary, you can hire a contents restoration company that specializes in cleaning smoke- or water-damaged materials.

Communicate with Employees and Customers

Open communication is key after a disaster. Let your employees, customers, and vendors know what’s happening and what to expect during the recovery process.

How to Manage Communication:

  • Set up a temporary office or workspace.
  • Update your website and voicemail with information.
  • Notify your insurance company if operations are paused (important for business interruption insurance).
  • Keep your team informed about safety and next steps.

Good communication helps maintain trust and keeps your business moving forward during the restoration phase.

Work with Fire and Safety Experts

After cleanup, it’s important to take preventive steps to reduce the risk of another commercial fire.

Fire Safety Improvements:

  • Inspect your fire sprinkler system and alarms regularly.
  • Install or update fire extinguishers.
  • Create a new fire safety plan.
  • Schedule inspections with your fire department.

Consult fire damage restoration experts who can assess your property for risks and help make your building safer for the future.

Understand Your Insurance Policy Coverage

Every insurance policy is different, and it’s important to understand what’s covered under your property insurance.

Common Coverages:

  • Fire damage
  • Smoke damage
  • Water damage from firefighting efforts
  • Business interruption insurance for lost income
  • Restoration services and debris removal

If you’re unsure about what’s included, ask your insurance company or public adjuster for a breakdown. Reviewing your policy before disaster strikes can help you recover faster and reduce stress when filing claims.

Prevent Future Fire Damage

Once your commercial property is restored, it’s time to focus on prevention.

Tips to Prevent Future Fires:

  • Schedule annual fire inspections.
  • Train employees in fire safety.
  • Regularly test smoke alarms and sprinklers.
  • Keep equipment clean and well maintained.
  • Store flammable materials safely.
  • Maintain clear exits and fire lanes.

Taking preventive steps now protects your investment, your people, and your business operations.

Partner with a Trusted Restoration Company

When dealing with fire damage restoration, you need a trusted partner that offers full-service recovery — from smoke damage restoration to water damage restoration and reconstruction.

A professional company should offer:

  • 24/7 emergency services
  • Licensed and insured technicians
  • Experience in commercial property restoration
  • Communication with your insurance company
  • Long-term safety and quality repairs

Companies like Servicemaster, Preferred Restoration, and others specialize in helping commercial property owners rebuild after disaster.

The Importance of Fast Response

A quick emergency response can make the difference between minor damage and a total loss. Fire damage, smoke damage, and water damage worsen over time.

Immediate restoration services can:

  • Reduce moisture buildup and prevent mold.
  • Minimize structural deterioration.
  • Improve air quality.
  • Shorten recovery time.

That’s why most restoration companies offer 24/7 emergency assistance for commercial properties.

Final Thoughts on Handling Fire Damage in a Commercial Property

Recovering from a commercial fire takes time, patience, and the right plan. From safety and insurance claims to smoke damage restoration and business recovery, every step matters.

The best way to handle fire damage in your commercial property is to act fast, stay organized, and work with experts who know how to restore your business safely and efficiently.

By following these steps, you can reduce losses, protect your investment, and get your operations back on track as quickly as possible.

FAQs About Handling Fire Damage in a Commercial Property

How soon should I call my insurance company after a fire?

You should contact your insurance company immediately — ideally within 24 hours. Quick reporting helps process your insurance claim faster and avoids delays in coverage.

What’s the difference between fire damage and smoke damage restoration?

Fire damage restoration repairs what’s burned or destroyed, while smoke damage restoration removes soot, odors, and particulates from the property. Both are crucial for a full recovery.

Can water damage occur after a fire?

Yes. Firefighters and the fire sprinkler system can cause significant water damage. Always hire a water damage restoration expert to dry the area and prevent mold growth.

Will my insurance policy cover business interruption?

Most business interruption insurance policies help replace lost income if your commercial property must close during restoration. Check your policy or ask your public adjuster for details.

How long does commercial fire restoration take?

The time depends on the extent of the damage, building size, and how quickly restoration services begin. Smaller fires may take days; larger commercial properties could take weeks or months. Contact us today or your nearest 911 emergency line.

Picture of Eric Allison

Eric Allison

Eric Allison is a seasoned professional in property restoration, serving as the primary contact and founder of Preferred Restoration Services, LLC, based in Tustin, California. With a career spanning over two decades, Eric has developed extensive expertise in addressing fire, water, and mold damage, ensuring properties are restored to their pre-loss condition.

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