STAY SAFE

After a fire

burnthouse jpgA fire in your home can have a devastating impact on both you and your family but there are support services out there to help you.

Temporary shelter
If you have a fire in your house, the Fire Officer in charge may call the Red Cross who will be able to not only provide you with emotional support but also practical help in the form of a Fire Victim Support Vehicle.  Manned by trained volunteers, the vehicle is designed to be a temporary shelter for victims of fires and includes a shower and toilet as well as a phone and clothes.

What about your house?
Once the fire has been extinguished, your house will be examined by fire officers to determine whether there has been a structural damage or other defects. They will also investigate the cause of the fire. If the emergency services decide that your home is unsafe they will:

  • Inform the local Building Control Officer;
  • Public access may be fenced off and the building repairs left to you;
  • They may shore up or demolish the property to avoid danger to the public.

My house is not fit to live in, what shall I do?
You could speak to friends and family about staying with them but if this isn’t a valid option, you could speak to your local council’s Housing Office (If it is out of hours, the Police or Fire Service should be able to help). Also, your local social security office should be able to help you with any short term financial assistance.

Security of your home
After the Police and Fire Service have left, it is then your responsibility for the security of your home, so if it’s safe to do so, remove any valuables and close all doors and windows. If you need to leave the property unsecure, contact the Police and explain any arrangements you have made with glaziers, the council or contractors.

Make sure you board up any windows and doors. You can contact a 24 hour glazier through Yellow Pages services or if you’re a council tenant, you can contact your local authority.

Next steps

  • Contact your insurance company as soon a possible;
  • Contact gas, electricity and water suppliers;
  • Don’t be tempted to switch any gas, electricity or water supply on if they have been turned off;
  • Get utility supplies and installations checked and repaired by a qualified person.

No insurance?
Help is at hand if you fell behind in your insurance payments and you do not have adequate cover to help you get back on your feet. You may qualify for a Community Grant. In addition to this, if you have children or other vulnerable people in your home, Social Services can also help. Contact your local council for details of both the Community Grant and Social Services.