We always like to focus on the positive and beautiful things here at Spaces And Places, but home also can mean there are some things you never really plan for, no matter how responsible or prepared you try to be. A house fire is one of them.
We wish we were writing this from a place of theory—but we’re not. We’ve walked through this twice now. Once in our own home, right at the edge of the COVID pandemic when the world already felt uncertain. Lightning struck and forced us out of our home for two months.
And again just this weekend, in a rental property we own filled with people who are more like family than tenants. We are still waiting on the fire department’s report, but the assumption now is that something went awry with an AC unit replaced just days before.
Fire changes things instantly. It interrupts normal life in a way that’s disorienting and deeply personal. Your home—your place—suddenly isn’t safe. And in the aftermath, you’re left asking: what now?
This is what we’ve learned about recovering when your home is hurt.
First, make sure everyone is okay
Before anything else—before logistics, before belongings, before insurance—pause and take inventory of people.
Are they safe physically? Are they breathing okay after smoke exposure? Are they in shock?
And just as important: how are they mentally?
A fire rattles you. Even if everyone walks away unharmed, there’s a lingering sense of loss and instability. Give space for that. Check in often. Stay close.
Get out—and stay out
Smoke damage is no joke. It lingers in walls, fabrics, air ducts—places you can’t see.
It’s tempting to go back in quickly, to try to “make do” or salvage normalcy. Don’t.
Find another place to stay, even if it’s inconvenient. Even if it’s temporary. Your health matters more than your routine.
Salvage what you can—but don’t risk yourself
There will be things worth saving. Documents. Photos. Pieces of your life that feel irreplaceable.
Take what you can, when it’s safe to do so.
But this isn’t the moment to be heroic about belongings. If it’s unsafe, if it’s overwhelming, if it can wait—let it wait. There will be time to sort through what remains.
Focus on the basics
In the immediate aftermath, life gets very simple.
Clothes. Toiletries. Medications. A place to sleep.
That’s it.
Don’t worry about replacing everything at once. Just stabilize. Get through the next day, then the next.
Call your insurance—and start the process
This step feels big, and it is.
Your insurance company will coordinate with the fire department to determine cause and assess damage. They’ll walk you through what can be claimed and what comes next.
It won’t feel fast. It won’t feel simple. But it is necessary.
Start the process early, even if you don’t have all the answers yet.
Let people help you and Advocate for yourself
This one can be surprisingly hard.
When something like this happens, people show up. They offer meals, clothes, a place to stay, help sorting, help calling, help just sitting with you.
Say yes.
You’re not meant to carry this alone. And honestly, you don’t have the capacity to.
Let community do what community does best.
Also, don’t let insurance push you around. This starts way before tragedy strikes by picking an insurance agent and company you can trust. Inevitably though, you’ll be dealing with people dealing with multiple claims and priorities. Don’t hesitate to reach out again if things aren’t delivered timely. Know what your policy states and what is owed to you.
Practice patience (even when you don’t want to)
If there’s one universal truth: insurance and restoration take longer than you think they should.
You’ll want movement. Decisions. Progress.
Instead, there will be waiting. Phone calls. Adjusters. Estimates. More waiting.
It’s frustrating. It’s exhausting. But it’s part of the process.
Take it one step at a time.
Bring in professionals
Smoke, soot, water damage—this isn’t DIY territory.
Hire professionals to clean and repair. They know what to look for, what can be saved, and what needs to be replaced.
Cutting corners here usually creates bigger problems later.
Make clear, confident decisions about your property
At some point, you’ll need to decide how to move forward.
Repair. Rebuild. Restore. Reimagine.
Whatever path you choose, don’t compromise on what you know needs to be done. If something isn’t right, fix it. If something needs to be replaced, replace it.
Your home deserves to be safe—and whole—again.
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